In anticipation of an award of federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, Kosciusko County has been notified a possible award of $10,877 will be received to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

A local board, with representation from the county, will determine how the anticipated funds for Kosciusko County could 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 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) have an accounting system, 3) have a checking account, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, 6) have a federal EIN, 7) have a D & B number (DUNS) and 8) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board.

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply. Agencies must also have the means to file reports electronically. Agencies will still be required to certify if they are debarred or suspended from receiving federal funds and local boards will be certifying they have received this certification from each agency benefiting from EFSP funding.

In the past, Kosciusko County has distributed emergency food and shelter funds to the Kosciusko County Shelter for Abuse (Beaman Home), Fellowship Missions, The Salvation Army, Combined Community Services and the North Webster Community Area Services.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must submit a letter of interest detailing expected use of the funds and requested amount to United Way of Kosciusko County, P.O. Box 923, Warsaw, IN 46581-0923. The letter of interest must be received by Monday, Jan. 20.