Lincoln County has been chosen to receive $43,984.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. EFSP funds are Federal Funds awarded through the department of Homeland Security.
The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army; American Red Cross; United Jewish Communities; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; and United Way of America which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent. The 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 representatives from Lincoln County Department of Social Services, Lincoln Housing Authority, the faith based community, American Red Cross, Employment Security Commission, Gaston Community Action, Salvation Army, Veterans Services Lincoln County, and United Way of Lincoln County will determine how the funds awarded to Lincoln County are to be distributed among the programs that supplement emergency food and shelter assistance.
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) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.
Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Kathy Vinzant, the local board administrator at United Way of Lincoln County, 704/732-8055, for an application. The deadline for submitting the completed application is December 10, 2012.