BRISTOL COUNTY HAS BEEN 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 FOR PHASE 39 AND PHASE ARPA-R (AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT).
Bristol County has been chosen to receive an award of $294,554 for Phase 39 and an award of $910,397 for Phase ARPA-R to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. The federal department responsible for this program is the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – these are not state/county government or United Way Funds. United Way of Greater New Bedford serves as the local manager for Bristol 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 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 is charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.
Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits 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, have a voluntary board.
Qualifying agencies are urged to apply. Any applicant who services clients from more than one of the four major cities in Bristol County must submit a separate budget for each city. The four cities are: Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford and Taunton.
Applications from organizations in the specific categories of emergency food, emergency shelter, rent/mortgage assistance and utility assistance are now being accepted. Completed applications are due on February 28th no later than 4pm at the United Way of Greater New Bedford, 128 Union St., Suite 105, New Bedford.
More information on the Emergency Food & Shelter Program may be found via www.efsp.unitedway.org. Visit unitedwayofgnb.org/efsp to access an application. If you have any questions, please direct your inquiries to Michelle N. Hantman, 508-994-9625, ext. 212 or mhantman@unitedwayofgnb.org