United Way Announces New Federal Relief Grants Available

(February 14, 2022 2:12 PM) United Way of Jackson County has been awarded $252,725 in federal funds to be used to support food, shelter and other emergency assistance programs. The funding comes from the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP), administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); and through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) passed by Congress in 2021 to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

United Way encourages nonprofit, faith-based or local government agencies that provide food, shelter and other aid to apply for funding for EFSP’s Phase 39 grant cycle or for the new Phase ARPA-R. Special consideration goes to applications that serve the elderly, families with children, homeless individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and veterans.

Among the services that may qualify are food services, such as congregate meals or groceries; lodging in a mass shelter, or in a hotel/motel or other offsite shelter facility for up to 90 days; rent or mortgage assistance; utility assistance for natural gas, electric, deliverable fuel and water service; and various supplies for feeding or sheltering people. Eligibility requirements and other details are available online at bit.ly/3rSiirn or by contacting UWJC.

To be considered for funding, all requested information must be provided and proposals must be submitted via email to Ebone’ Young, Community Solutions Manager, at United Way of Jackson County, eyoung@uwjackson.org. The deadline is Feb. 28, at 5 p.m.

A local board of Jackson County residents will determine how the funds will be distributed.  This board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.

For more information about the grants, contact Young at 517-796-5132 or eyoung@uwjackson.org.