Emergency Food and Shelter Program

Public Notice - Posted on 2/20/24


MUSKEGON, NEWAYGO AND OCEANA COUNTIES HAVE 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. 

Muskegon County has been chosen to receive $83,150 Newaygo County $23,786 and Oceana County will get $15,806 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the counties. 

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 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 in Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana County made up of representatives from local government and multiple area organizations, will determine how the funds awarded to the Emergency Needs Committees are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The local Boards are responsible for recommending local recipient organizations to receive these funds and any additional funds made available under this phase of the program. 

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary nonprofit organizations 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. 

The Local Boards in Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana Counties have distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds to local organizations for 38 previous years. These organizations were responsible for providing food, meals and lodging to those in need. 

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds will find an application at unitedwaylakeshore.org/efsp. The deadline for applications to be received is Friday, March 22, 2024. Questions may be directed to Jana Routt, United Way of the Lakeshore at: jana@unitedwaylakeshore.org. or (231) 332-4004.

The deadline for applications to be received is Friday, March 22, 2024.