For immediate release
For more information, contact
Nichole Zielke
or
Caitlin Jones
Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2022
PHELPS COUNTY — Phelps County has been awarded federal funds for emergency food and shelter, made available through the department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program and the American Rescue Plan Act. The county was awarded $42,282 in Phases 39 and ARPA-R to supplement emergency food and shelter needs in the county.
Agencies applying for APRA-R funds must demonstrate that COVID-19 impacted their organization or the people served by the organization. Both application forms can be found online at https://www.meramecregion.org/career-and-business-opportunities/grant-opportunities/. Deadline for applying for funds is April 15.
The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency 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 and United Way Worldwide. The local board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.
A local board made up of the Phelps County officials, American Red Cross, and county representatives will determine how the funds awarded to Phelps County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds made available under this phase of the program.
Agencies may receive funds to provide food, shelter and supportive services, including, but not limited to:
Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary nonprofits, faith-based or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive federal funds, 3) have an accounting system with a checking account for EFSP deposits, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, 6) Have a DUNS number and a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), 7) be able to respond to email and submit reports to EFSP online, 8) pay vendors directly within 90 days for services provided, 9) be in good standing with the EFSP program and 10) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.
Phelps County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously to agencies responsible for providing meals and lodging.
Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds can contact Nichole Zielke, MRPC, 4 Industrial Drive, St. James, MO 65559 at nzielke@meramecregion.org for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is April 15, 2022.
Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is serving as administrator for this project on behalf of Phelps County and the local board.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Steve Vogt, representing the city of Belle, serves as chairman of the board. A professional staff of 36 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.
To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.
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