WAUSAU – Marathon County has been awarded federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.
Two separate allocations are available – $43,404 and $61,882 – to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county, and will be distributed by the United Way of Marathon County.
Nonprofit, faith-based organizations and local government agencies providing food, shelter and supportive services in Marathon County are eligible to apply for funding (there are two separate applications; applicants can apply for each).
The application deadline for both funds is 5 p.m. May 20.
To qualify, the organization must:
1) Be a private voluntary nonprofit, faith-based organization or unit of government
2) Be eligible to receive federal funds (have a Data Universal Number System and a federal employer identification number)
3) Have an accounting system
4) Practice nondiscrimination
5) Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food, shelter and/or supportive services
6) If it is a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board
This money must be used for mass shelter, hotel/motel, cleaning supplies for shelter, feeding sites, small equipment purchases up to $300 per item (e.g., microwave) mass feeding, food purchases, congregate meals, food distribution through food pantries and food banks, home delivery meals (e.g., Meals on Wheels), one-month utility programs to prevent service cut-off, and one-month rent/mortgage assistance to prevent evictions or assist people leaving shelters to establish stable living conditions.
A local board comprised of representatives from county government, local human services agencies, and minority and veteran’s groups will review the applications and distribute funds awarded to Marathon County. The local board has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously to the Community Center of Hope, The Neighbors’ Place, The Women’s Community, The Hmong American Center and The Salvation Army. Past EFSP participation is not a requirement.
For more information about the funds, contact United Way of Marathon County’s director of community impact – education, Tara Glodowski, at [email protected] or 715-298-5707.
