CEFS receives grant for food and shelter programs

By Editor | June 21, 2018 |

Fayette County has been chosen to receive $11,412 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal
Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities; USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; Jewish Federations of North America; Salvation Army; and United Way Worldwide.
The local board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the county.
A local board is made up of representatives from local United Way, Catholic Charities and a former homeless person who will determine how the funds awarded to Fayette County are to be distributed amount the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.
The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds made available under this phase of the program.
Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Amie Page at 283-2631 for an application. Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on July 5 at the Fayette County Outreach office.
Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary and non-profits or units of government; 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds; 3) have an accounting system; 4) practice nondiscrimination; 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.
The Fayette County EFSP local board has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously, with CE.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation participating.
Last year, CE.F.S. was responsible for distributing $9,116. As a result CE.F.S. provided 14 households with assistance for rent and provided 1,119 meals in Fayette County.
The reorganizational meeting for this year will be held at Fayette County Outreach office at 517 W Gallatin Street Vandalia, at 4 p.m. on July 10.
For additional information, contact Page at 283-2631 prior to the time of the meeting.