ESCANABA — Delta County has been awarded $16,104 in federal funds to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. These funds are made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board program (EFSP).

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. 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 country.

A local EFSP board made up of the United Way of Delta County, Catholic Social Services, Salvation Army, Community Action Agency, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Tri-County Safe Harbor and other organizations will determine how the funds awarded to Delta County are to be distributed among 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 and any additional funds available under these phases of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local organizations 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. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds may apply online at https://www.uwdelta.org/form/application-for-efsp-funds-delta or contact Julie Mallard at julie@uwdelta.org or 906-786-3736 to request an application. Completed applications must be received by the local board by January 15, 2025.