Local emergency food and shelter programs will receive more than $6,000 for supplemental assistance thanks to a federal government program.
Morgan County has been chosen by the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program to receive a little over $6,500 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs. The selection of Morgan County to receive these federal funds was made by a national board comprised of representatives from various assistance agencies. These include: the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Jewish Federation and the United Way. The National Board provides EFSP funds to local jurisdictions based on an allocation formula using the most recent national population, unemployment, and poverty statistics.
As for how these federal funds will be distributed throughout Morgan County, those decisions will be made by a separate board made up of representatives from the United Way, local government and clergy members. To qualify for receiving these funds for emergency food and shelter, local agencies must be private voluntary non-profits or units of government. They must also be eligible to receive federal funds, maintain an accounting system, practice non-discrimination, demonstrate the capacity to deliver emergency food or shelter programs, and if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a board of volunteers.
The purpose of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program is to supplement and expand the ongoing work of local social service organizations, both non-profit and governmental, to provide shelter, food and supportive services to individuals and families who have economic emergencies.