Food, shelter program (EFSP) awards local funding

The Emergency Food and Shelter National Program (EFSP), a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS/FEMA), has been entrusted through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (PL 100-77) "to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food, and supportive services" by local social service organizations for people across our Nation who are hungry, homeless, or in need of emergency services to keep from becoming homeless. This year, the local Emergency Food and Shelter Board will receive $19,116.00 to supplement the county's emergency food and shelter 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 the 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. The Local Board, Seneca County EFSP Board is made up of community organizations from Seneca County (including local government officials, FISH Food Pantry, Fostoria United Way, North Central Ohio United Way of Tiffin-Seneca County, Sharing Kitchen of Fostoria, St. Vincent dePaul's of Fostoria, Seneca County Council on Homelessness, Sister's in Shelter, The Salvation Army of Tiffin, and Transformation Life Center), all local service agencies in the area who provide food, shelter, rent assistance, utility assistance, and basic emergency needs. Emergency Food and Shelter Program Boards across the country have received notice they will be distributing funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary nonprofits 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, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying and interested Seneca County agencies may apply by contacting Nikki Distel at United Way, 419-448-0355, for an application. These agencies are responsible for providing (number) meals and (number) nights of lodging. Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) must return the completed application by February 27, 2025. The National Emergency Food and Shelter Program has also released a notice regarding the pause of the Federal Government funding. On January 27, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo to Federal agencies to temporarily halt the obligation or disbursement of all activities involving Federal financial assistance. Since the recent executive orders to pause Federal Funding, the OMB has rescinded this memorandum order until further notice. The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board understands that the recent memorandum and executive orders may have caused significant uncertainty and anxiety for the Local Boards and Local Recipient Organizations involved in the program. However, the National EFSP Board is working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to understand and respond to the anticipated impact on the EFSP and the program participants. EFSP staff will provide timely updates on the program's web page as more information becomes available.