FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kassandra Flores – kflores@unitedwaysc.org
February 5, 2024
Funding Available to Organizations Providing Emergency Food and Shelter Services
(Santa Cruz, CA) United Way of Santa Cruz County announced the availability of $162,355 to local nonprofit organizations providing emergency food and shelter services to Santa Cruz County residents. “We are pleased to announce the availability of this funding to meet the ongoing housing and food insecurities in our county,” said Keisha Browder, CEO of United Way Santa Cruz County.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website, “The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is a FEMA-funded program authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. The program supplements and expands ongoing work of local nonprofit and governmental social service organizations to provide shelter, food and supportive services to individuals and families who are experience in, or at risk of experiencing, hunger and/or homeless.”
In addition, “The program also provides supplemental funding for humanitarian relief efforts by social service organizations for the purpose of providing shelter and supportive services to families and individuals encountered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).”
The Phase 41 Request for Proposals (RFP) will be available on February 6, 2024 and due on February 16, 2024 no later than 4:00pm. Nonprofit, faith-based organizations, and governmental social service organizations can download the application at www.unitedwaysc.org/efsp-santa-cruz-county or request an application from United Way Administrator Audrey Jones – ajones@unitedwaysc.org
New to the EFSP application includes applicants providing the organization’s Data Universal Number System (DUNS) unique identification number. The number tracks how federal funding is allocated. In addition to DUNS, nonprofit, faith-based organizations, and governmental social service organizations will need to submit the following documents as part of the application process:
· A completed application
· Balance Sheet (as of December 31, 2023)
· Profit and Loss Report (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023)
· Most Recently Completed Financial Audit
· FY 23-24 Proposed Budget for EFSP
Agency’s awarded funding through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program must use 100% of the funding towards approved emergency food and shelter services.
Decisions are made by the Local Board, and the local board is made up of representatives of United Way, The Jewish Federation of North America, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and other at-large members with a background in providing basic needs services. “We have an amazing grant committee with an expertise in program design and delivery, nonprofit management, and background in nonprofit collaboration.” Stated Aurelio Salazar, Jr. Chair of the EFSP for Santa Cruz County.
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About Emergency Food & Shelter Program
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) was created to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies to help people with economic emergencies (not disaster-related). EFSP funds may be used to provide economic assistance in the long term, even if the current circumstances may have been impacted by an earlier disaster occurrence. EFSP funding is open to all 501(c)(3) non-profits, faith-based organizations, and government organizations helping hungry and those experiencing homelessness. EFSP funds must be used to supplement feeding, sheltering (including transitional sheltering), and rent/mortgage.
About United Way of Santa Cruz County
United Way of Santa Cruz County works to create a healthy, thriving, and safe community for all. UWSCC is leading a movement to focus donated resources on programs that have significant impact within our county; to move the needle by addressing our greatest needs. For more information, please visit www.unitedwaysc.org
About 211 Santa Cruz County
211 is a vital service leveraged by millions of people across North America. Every day, clients contact 211 to access free and confidential crisis and emergency counseling, disaster assistance, food, health care and insurance assistance, stable housing and utilities payment assistance, employment services, veteran services, and childcare and family services. Last year, 211 responded to over 12 million requests for assistance across the United States. The service is available to over 95% of the U.S. population, including in Puerto Rico and Washington, DC, and is also available in most of Canada. Individuals in need or who are looking for information for someone else can call 211 from a cell phone or landline or visit www.211santacruzcounty.org