FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MARION COUNTY LOCAL EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM
PHASES 40
MARION COUNTY AWARDED FEDERAL FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT
OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY UNDER THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM
OCALA, Fla. November 29, 2022 – United Way of Marion County administered $106,737 for Phase 40 under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriation Act, 2o22 (Pub. L. No. 117-103). The amount awarded is Phase 40 of the program and not the supplemental humanitarian relief funding to supplement the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program in Marion County,
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 Churches of Christ in the USA; The Jewish Federation of North America; The Salvation Army; and United Way Worldwide. The Local Board was charged with distributing 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 representatives from the United Way of Marion County, The Salvation Army, Brother’s Keeper, Interfaith Emergency Services, American Red Cross, Ocala/Marion County Continuum of Care, local clergy, and nonaffiliated volunteers determined how the funds awarded to Marion County, Jurisdiction 166800, are to be distributed among emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations in the area. The Local Board was responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds that might become available under this program phase.
Under 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. Agencies will be required to provide a Data Universal Number System number, a Federal Employer Identification number, a valid phone number and an email address for the contact person as well as maintain a checking account in the agency’s name for EFSP deposits. Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.
The local agencies that received these funds and the amount they received are as follows: Advocacy Resource Center - $5,000; Arnette House - $4,657.82; Brothers Keepers - $23,051.56; Episcopal Children's Services, Inc. - $4,657.82; First Step Food Bank, Inc - $4,657,82; His Compassion - $4,657.82; Interfaith Emergency Services - $23,051.56; Marion County Children's Alliance - $4657.82; Shepherd's Lighthouse - $4,657.82; St. Theresa's Social Services Department - $20,893.86; The Salvation Army - $4,657.82; United Way of Marion County - $2,135.04.
Marion County has distributed these funds previously to organizations such as Advocacy, Resource Center, Arnette House, Brother’s Keeper, Creative Services, Community of Gratitude, Inc., His Compassion, Inc., Hope Outreach Help Center, Interfaith Emergency Services, Marion County Children’s Alliance, Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans USA, Inc., Saving Mercy Corporation, Shepherd’s Lighthouse, The Salvation Army, and St. Theresa’s Catholic Charities. These agencies have provided meals, lodging, utility, and mortgage/rental assistance. Any agency that awarded funds in the past and has outstanding compliance exceptions must resolve them prior to the release of funds.
For more information, please contact Sheila Riley, 211/Community Impact Specialist, at
(352) 732-9696 or sriley@uwmc.org.
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The United Way of Marion County is a locally governed not-for-profit organization that works to create a thriving community where adults and children achieve their full potential with access to a solid education, good health, and financially stable households. We have been a Community Solutions partner for over 56 years as we collaborate with local businesses and other non-profits to create a positive and sustainable impact in our community. We strategically invest in effective programs and services that solve complex issues, bettering the community for all. For more information, visit www.UWMC.org.
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