Emergency Food and Shelter Funds Available for Homeless

RENO— Once congress appropriates the funds, Emergency Food and Shelter funds will be available to private nonprofit or governmental agencies in northern Nevada counties. United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra (UWNNS) serves as the secretariat for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) in northern Nevada.

This year, UWNNS will work with local volunteers to ensure that federal funds are allocated to the following jurisdictions: Lyon County at $34,851; Washoe County at $244,919, Carson City at $31,098 and the State Set-Aside Committee, NV at $26,181. These funds are distributed to agencies that serve the neediest in each community. 

Recently, legal ads were placed in newspapers throughout the region to reach out to agencies that can meet the specific requirements for EFSP Phase 33. Ads included the jurisdiction being funded, the source of the funding, the award amount in the jurisdiction, eligible agencies, contact information for application and deadline for applying.

The source of funding is a federal appropriation from Congress to the EFSP National Board Program. The National Board selects the jurisdiction (cities or counties) for funding, not specific agencies. The federal department responsible for this program is the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These are not state/ county government or United Way funds. The EFSP was created in 1983 and has provided over $3 billion in federal funds during its 30+ year history providing shelter, food and supportive services for homeless and hungry individuals. 

Funds are available to private nonprofit or governmental agencies in Carson City, Churchill, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, Washoe and White Pine counties. Agencies that meet EFSP guidelines for Phase 33 serving hungry and homeless people are able to be considered for funding.

For questions or assistance, contact Theresa Holbrook or Kim Spiersch at 775-322-8668. All applications must be received by 4:30 p.m., August 17, 2016 at the United Way office located at 639 Isbell Road, Suite 460, Reno, NV 89598. Incomplete, late or faxed applications will not be accepted.