Morgan County has been awarded funding by the federal government to help fight hunger.
Non-profit organizations in Morgan County who help feed those in need have an opportunity to receive a portion of grant funding made available through the Department of Homeland Security.
Karen Walker, Executive Director of the Prairieland United Way in Jacksonville says the funding is an annual disbursement.
“This is the funding that we receive every year. The newest round is Phase 38, and this is a federal grant that comes from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. In our area, Morgan County has been given $12,370.00 to be used to help supplement programs that we have going on in our community. Area non-profits are eligible to apply for those funds which will be used for food programs.”
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; The Jewish Federations of North America, The Salvation Army; and, United Way Worldwide.
Walker says the local boards are charged with distributing the funds which have been appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.
“Our local board consists of the local Salvation Army, we have the Red Cross, a local pastor, our local sheriff all sit on that board along with myself. We will look at all the applications and then decide how we can best use that money to help the most people in the community.
In our area we use it for extra food needs, so organizations such as the Jacksonville Food Bank, the Prairie Council on Aging, the Crisis Center, Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen, are all some of the agencies that have received this funding in the past. So anyone who is involved in feeding our community, this is extra money coming into the area for them to be used to help supplement that need.”
Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary 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 a voluntary board.
Walker says just like the grant funding, applying for the funds is an annual occurrence.
“They actually will apply, they are required to each year. The applications are due on January 29th, and we are charged with having our board plan submitted by February 5th. So anyone who is interested in applying can contact me at the Prairieland United Way Office either by phone or email as the Municipal Building is currently closed to public business. My email is karen.walker@prairielandunitedway.org or call the office number at 217-245-4557 and I will be glad to get those applications to them.”
Walker says the grant is for Morgan County organizations only, and she hopes any organization that qualifies will apply so the grant funding can be used where it is most needed in area.
For more information or to apply, contact Karen Walker at Prairieland United Way, 200 West Douglas, Jacksonville, IL 62650, by email at karen.walker@prairielandunitedway.org or call 217-245-4557 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is January 29, 2021.