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Macon County awarded funds to expand emergency food and shelter programs

Feb 7, 2023 | 4:58 PM

Volunteers collecting food into donation box. Boxing Cans at Food Drive. Work together at food bank

February 7, 2023 – Macon County has been awarded federal funds through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

The source of funding is a federal appropriation from Congress to the EFS National Board Program. The Macon County jurisdiction is slated to receive funding for Phase 40 – FY2023 ($65,681) to supplement and expand emergency food and shelter programs in Macon County.

A Local Board made up of representatives from the Red Cross, United Way, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, and others will determine how the funds awarded to Macon County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.

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; 6) if they are a private volunteer organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply for funding from Phase 40.

The deadline for qualifying agencies to submit their letter of request is Thursday, February 16, 2023. Send requests to tmurray@empowerdecatur.org. First-time agencies applying for funding should email or call the Empowerment Opportunity Center at 217-428-0155 x1006 for an application.