Local nonprofits have until April 19 to apply for federal emergency food and shelter funds

Local government and nonprofit organizations that provide food and shelter to community members have until April 19 to apply for federal funds that will be allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Food and Shelter (EFSP) National Board Program to expand program capacity.

The EFSP is governed by a National Board composed of representatives of six private nonprofit organizations, including the United Way of America, Catholic Charities U.S.A., the Council of Jewish Federations, Inc. and the American Red Cross, that are responsible for identifying local areas in need of EFSP assistance and determining the amount of funding to be allocated based on a formula that looks at the latest federal population, unemployment and poverty statistics to determine high-need areas.

Nueces County will receive $165,838 in EFSP Phase 41 funding in the form of supplemental grants to distribute to social services organizations to support and expand existing programs that aid individuals and families who were or are at risk of experiencing hunger or homelessness.

The National Board selected Nueces County as a jurisdiction of highest need for food and shelter assistance based on average unemployment statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics for the most current 12-month period and poverty statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.

17.3% of people in the county live in poverty, compared to a national rate of 12.5%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates, and average unemployment is at 4.4% compared to a 3.8% national and 3.9% statewide average.

A Local Board led by the United Way of the Coastal Bend (UWCB) will determine how the funds will be disbursed as smaller grants. Together with a group of local nonprofits that mirror the representative organizations on the National Board, UWCB will advertise funding availability, set priority needs, determine community needs and client eligibility and select grant recipients according to a Local Board Plan to be submitted to the National Board by April 30.

Program funds are to be spent on food in the form of served meals or groceries, lodging in a mass shelter, hotel or motel, rent or mortgage payments for up to 90 days, utility bills for up to 90 days and equipment needed to feed or shelter people, with up to a $300 limit per item. Jurisdictions may spend up to 2% of the award for administrative purposes.

Donna Hurley, vice president of Community Impact at the UWCB, said this grant cycle will enable existing nonprofits to expand programs to help community members in need find stability.

“Like UWCB, the programs that apply for and receive these funds are providing emergency food and shelter services,” she said. "While requests always exceed the amount available, it's significant because all of the funding goes to help folks avoid homelessness and maintain stability."

For instance, EFSP funds help an individual bridge the gap between the time of starting a new job and waiting on a paycheck, providing the needed assistance that will allow them to stay in their home, she said.

For local food pantries, EFSP grant funds enable them to stock the pantry with more food, she said.

A total of $130 million in FEMA funds were awarded to the EFSP in fiscal year 2023 and made available under the DHS Appropriations Act.

Nueces County received $237,367 in the previous grant cycle during Phase 40 out of a total of $13,105,432 in funding allocated to the state.

DHS allocated $3,814 in EFSP funds to UWCB in 2023, with federal grants comprising about 0.93% of the organization’s revenue from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must meet certain criteria, which include qualifying as private voluntary non-profits or units of government that are eligible to receive federal funds, have an accounting system, practice nondiscrimination, have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food or shelter programs and, if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.

Recipients must file financial and programmatic reporting by certain deadlines. The National Board shall provide quarterly performance progress reports and a final PPR within 120 calendar days after the end of the period of performance.

In past years, Nueces County has distributed EFSP funds to local nonprofits including the Wesley Community Center, the Women’s Shelter of South Texas, Corpus Christi Metro Ministries, the Salvation Army, the Corpus Christi Housing Authority, Timon’s Ministries, Nueces County Department of Human Services, Catholic Charities and Mother Teresa Shelter participating.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for EFSP funds should contact Hurley at UWCB at 4659 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 or call (361) 882-2529, Ext. 118 to receive an application.

The deadline for applications is Thursday, April 19, 2024. Late applications will not be considered. The Local Board will meet on April 23 following the application due date to review and submit a Local Board Plan by April 30, 2024.

EFSP was created in 1983 through the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people throughout the U.S. and its territories.

During its 40 years of operation, the program disbursed over $6.5 billion to over 14,000 local providers in more than 2,500 counties and cities.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Federal food and shelter funding available to Nueces County nonprofits