United Way of Weld County is pleased to announce that Weld County has been awarded $227,552 in federal funds through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for emergency food and shelter assistance, an amount that includes funding for both ongoing community challenges and the increased need that is being experienced because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chaired and facilitated by United Way of Weld County, a Weld County EFSP Local Board determines how the funds are distributed.
Qualifying non-profit, faith-based, and governmental organizations are encouraged to apply. Please contact Lyle SmithGraybeal at lyle@unitedway-weld.org or 970-304-6199 for an application. The deadline for applications is end of business day on Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
In its 37-year history, local United Ways have facilitated the distribution of $4.7 billion in EFSP funds to more than 14,000 human services agencies in more than 2,500 communities across the country. The Weld County EFSP Local Board consists of representatives from the community, local government, and non-profit agencies and is responsible for recommending funding based on applications submitted. Awarded funds may be used to serve vulnerable populations with served meals, other food, mass shelter, other temporary shelter, supplies, rent/mortgage assistance, and utilities assistance.
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was established in 1983 to supplement the capacity of local organizations in providing emergency food and shelter to households facing a crisis situation. The program is overseen by a National Board, chaired by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), that consists of representatives of the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army, and United Way Worldwide.
Under the terms of the grant from the EFSP National Board, local emergency food and shelter organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) be non-profit or faith-based organizations or units of government; 2) have an accounting system; 3) practice nondiscrimination; 4) have demonstrated capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and 5) if they are a non-profit or faith-based organization, have a voluntary board. EFSP funds can supplement existing food and shelter services and may not be used as seed money for new programs.
