For immediate release
For more information, contact
Nichole Zielke
or
Caitlin Jones
Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2024
PHELPS COUNTY — Phelps County has been awarded federal funds for emergency food and shelter, made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program and the American Rescue Plan Act. The county was awarded $12,918 in Phase 41 to supplement emergency food and shelter needs in the county.
Application forms can be found online at https://www.meramecregion.org/career-and-business-opportunities/grant-opportunities/. The deadline for applying for funds is April 30.
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 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 board made up of the Phelps County officials, the American Red Cross, and county representatives will determine how the funds awarded to Phelps County are to be distributed among the 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 made available under this phase of the program.
Agencies may receive funds to provide food, shelter and supportive services, including, but not limited to:
• Food services, such as congregate meals, home delivery meals or groceries;
• Lodging in a mass shelter or in a hotel/motel or other off-site shelter facility limited to 90-days assistance per individual or household;
• Rent or mortgage assistance to prevent eviction or foreclosure, limited to three months/90-days assistance per individual or household;
• Utility assistance for one month of service for gas, electric and water service, limited to three months/90-days assistance per individual or household; and
• Supplies, including but not limited to cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE). Also includes equipment essential to feed or shelter people, not exceeding $300 per item.
Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary nonprofits, faith-based or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive federal funds, 3) have an accounting system with a checking account for EFSP deposits, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, 6) Have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), 7) be able to respond to email and submit reports to EFSP online, 8) pay vendors directly within 90 days for services provided, 9) be in good standing with the EFSP program and 10) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.
Phelps County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously to agencies responsible for providing meals and lodging.
Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds can contact Nichole Zielke, MRPC, 4 Industrial Drive, St. James, MO 65559 at nzielke@meramecregion.org for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is April 30, 2024.
Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is serving as administrator for this project on behalf of Phelps County and the local board.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Mary Heywood, representing the unemployed population, serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 36 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.
To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.
-30-
