(Winchester, VA, March 15, 2024) – The National Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) has announced an award to the City of Winchester of $9,633 for Phase 41 to be used by local agencies to assist households living in the City of Winchester.
The jurisdiction's award is based upon the jurisdiction's total number of unemployed as compared to the total number of unemployed in all qualifying jurisdictions. These funds will immediately be made available through local grants to eligible agencies through the EFSP application process.
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was established in 1983 with the creation of a National Board, chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that consists of representatives of the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide. Since 1983, in its 38-year history, the EFSP has distributed over $5.03 billion to over 14,000 human service agencies in more than 2,500 communities across the country through a collaborative effort between the private and public sectors.
The EFSP Local Board, chaired by the United Way NSV, is accepting applications for Phase 41 from organizations that provide eligible services to residents in the City of Winchester.
Applications are available online at www.unitedwaynsv.org and are due by Thursday, April 11, 2024. To access the application go to Community Impact Grants on the menu and scroll down to Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for funding:
- Be a 501(c)(3) non-profit or governmental agency.
- Provide EFSP services at no charge.
- Funding must supplement existing programs.
- Non-profit organizations must be directed by a volunteer governing body with an organizational structure to administer programs.
- Have an accounting system or fiscal agent approved by the Local Board.
- Have a checking account.
- Conduct an independent annual audit if receiving $50,000 or more in EFSP funds, conduct a financial review if receiving $25,000 to $49,999.
- Have Federal Employer Tax ID and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number issued by the System for Award Management (SAM).
- Already provide human services in the area in which funds are applied.
- Operate without discrimination.
- Involve homeless individuals, through employment or volunteer programs, in the provision of services, to the extent possible.
Eligible Activities for Funding:
The intent of this program is for the purchase of food and shelter, to supplement and expand current available resources and not to substitute or reimburse ongoing services or start new programs.
FOOD
- Food Closets- distribution of bagged groceries to individual clients.
- Served meals/Mass feeding- ready to eat meals served on-site or delivered.
- Food Vouchers- vouchers for food at local grocery stores or restaurants.
- Food Banks- distribution of bulk food to food banks
SHELTER
- Per Diem Shelter- mass shelter
- Motel/Hotel Vouchers- lodging at motels, etc.
- Rent/Mortgage Assistance- eviction prevention or one month’s rent.
- Utility Assistance- up to one month’s assistance (gas, electricity, water, sewer service).
- Non-metered Utility Assistance- one time delivery (firewood, fuel oil, propane).
About United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley: Since 1946 the United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley has worked to impact the community human care needs that matter most to the people of Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah, Page and Warren Counties and the City of Winchester. United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley convenes the people and organizations necessary to create solutions to our region’s most pressing challenges and collaborates with effective partners. United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley seeks to serve as the catalyst for community change by supporting over 45 partner agencies in the area on Income, Health and Education. For more information visit our website www.unitedwaynsv.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @UWNSV