Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga announces that Hamilton County has been awarded federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.
Hamilton County has been chosen to receive $152,367 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. This is an increase from the previous award of $147,116.
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 Federation 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 United Way of Greater Chattanooga, Tennessee Department of Human Services, Chattanooga Department of Youth and Family Development, Chattanooga Room in the Inn, Salvation Army, Greater Chattanooga Area American Red Cross, Family Promise of Greater Chattanooga, Signal Mountain Social Services, Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Northside Neighborhood House, Chattanooga Community Kitchen, Metropolitan Ministries’, the Samaritan Center, Partnership for Families, Children and Adults will determine how the funds awarded to Hamilton 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.
Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply by Monday, May 21, by 5 p.m.
Hamilton County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Chattanooga Human Services, Hamilton County Social Services, Salvation Army, Northside Neighborhood House, Chattanooga Community Kitchen, Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, Room in the Inn, Metropolitan Ministries, United Way 2-1-1, Family Promise, Signal Mountain Services, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Soddy Daisy Food Bank, Grace Food Bank. These agencies were responsible for providing EFSP-funded emergency services for more than 3,000 individuals during the previous year.
Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Erricka Hill, director of Social Services, Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga, by emailing ehill@jewishchattanooga,com or calling 493-0270 for an application. Applications are to be mailed (or hand delivered) to Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga at 5461 North Terrace Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411 or P.O. Box 8947, Chattanooga, TN 37414 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is Monday, May 21, by 5 p.m.