Submitted by Lewis County Public Health & Social Services
The Lewis County Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) has received $109,899 in federal funds to distribute to local non-profit organizations or governments that operate emergency food and/or shelter programs.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) provided $64,593. The balance of $45,306 came from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“Both of these grants will be allocated by the Lewis County FEMA board. Its experience in allocating these funds is very helpful with so much need and such a short timeline.” according to Meja Handlen, Housing Coordinator at Lewis County Public Health & Social Services (LCPHSS).
These funds will have to be distributed to qualifying entities that: 1) are private, voluntary nonprofits or units of government, 2) are eligible to receive federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice non-discrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private, voluntary organization, have a volunteer board. Eligible organizations must also have a federal identification number (FEIN) and a Dun and Bradstreet (DUNS) number. DUNS are issued at no cost. More information on DUNS can be found at https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/get-a-duns.html
Qualifying agencies interested in applying for EFSP funds can find the application at https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/public-health/. Applications must be submitted electronically to meja.handlen@lewiscountywa.gov no later than 4 pm May 15, 2020 in order to be considered.
For further information on the EFSP funding program, visit the Emergency Food and Shelter Program website: www.efsp.unitedway.org.
