BELFAST — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has designated available funding of $12,886 through Phase 40 to be distributed through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) to organizations who provide emergency food and shelter services in Waldo County.

Applications are now open through October 2, 2023.

EFSP funds are Federal funds made available through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. EFSP funding supports special emergency assistance in the areas of food, shelter, rent/mortgage, and utility assistance, and is to be expended by December 31, 2023, with a final report due to Waldo Community Action Partners by January 30, 2024.

Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds are intended to help with those services already provided through agencies’ annual budgets. These funds may not be used to create a new program. The minimum award amount is $500 with a maximum of $10,000.

Funding decisions are made by the Local Board of community volunteers, 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; United Way Worldwide; and other local community agencies.

To be eligible for funds, an organization must: hold a 501c3 tax designation; have adequate accounting and information systems to support required documentation; practice nondiscrimination; demonstrate the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter services in Waldo County; have a DUNS number; and document a current, valid volunteer board of directors.

Applications are due by 4 p.m. on October 2, 2023.

To obtain an application, please contact Monica Pettengill (Development Director at Waldo Community Action Partners) by email: mpettengill@waldocap.org or 338-6809, ext. 1301.