CHENANGO COUNTY - The Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board has allocated funds to Chenango County in response to the COVID 19 pandemic.

In addition to the usual annual funding for food pantries and soup kitchens, the Chenango United Way was informed today of additional dollars that have been allocated to assist the community with housing and utility needs for families affected by the impact of the coronavirus.

“I was very fortunate this weekend to receive word from EFSP that Chenango County will be receiving $20,145 in Phase 37 funding and an additional $28,721 in Phase CARES funding for 2020. These funds will not only help with our local hunger issue, but they will also help with rent and utility payments for families who are struggling with the economic impacts of COVID 19. We are very grateful for these dollars," said United Way Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies will be eligible to apply for 2020 Phase 37 and Phase CARES funding as of May 18, 2020. Applicant agencies must be: 1) private voluntary non-profits or units of government; 2) have an accounting system; 3) practice non-discrimination; 4) have demonstrated the capacity to deliver emergency shelter, utility or food programming; 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a governing voluntary board. They must also have a DUNS number, and FEIN number and be able to file reports with EFSP electronically.

Agencies interested in applying must contact the Chenango United Way office by calling (607) 334-8815 for an application packet. The deadline for completed applications is noon on May 26, 2020 and they must be submitted to the Chenango United Way office. Agencies will be informed of their application status once the national funds have been allocated for 2020.

The National EFSP is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and the United Way of America. The National Board has been charged with distributing the funds appropriated through Congress to help expand the capacity of emergency food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

The local Chenango County EFSP Board is made up of representatives from the Chenango United Way, Catholic Charities of Chenango County, American Red Cross, CDO Workforce, NBT Bank, Area Agency on Aging, and the Norwich Family YMCA. The local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive the national funds under the EFSP program. Funds are paid directly to recipient agencies and do not flow through the Chenango United Way.