Coffee County has been awarded $33,769 under Phase 39 & 40 of the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP) and $49,953 through EFSP ARPAR to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. EFSP Phase 39, 40, & ARPAR funding is for the period of Nov. 1, 2021 – Dec. 31, 2024.

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.

The Local Board, made up of representatives from the American Red Cross, local government, The Salvation Army, United Way of Highway 55, and others, will determine how the funds awarded to Coffee County are 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) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) must not charge a fee for service 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, may not require religious/counseling services, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

The EFSP was authorized under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (P.L. 100-77 signed into law on July 24, 1987, since renamed the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and subsequently reauthorized under P.L. 100-628, signed into law on Nov. 7, 1988). Since 1983, in its 39-year history, the EFSP will have distributed over $5.67 billion to over 14,000 human service agencies in more than 2,500 communities across the country through this collaborative effort between the private and public sectors.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding should contact Ashley Abraham at the United Way of Highway 55 at 931-455-5678 or Director@highway55unitedway.org for an application. The deadline to apply is noon on Wed, Feb. 2, 2024.

About United Way

United Way advances the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. United Way focuses on education, income, and health– the building blocks for a good quality of life. United Way recruits’ people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise, and resources needed to get things done through giving, advocating and volunteering.

United Way of Highway 55’s Mission Statement

The United Way of Highway 55 serves the citizens of Coffee, Moore, and Warren Counties by advancing opportunities in education, health, basic essentials, and financial stability.

Contact

The United Way of Hwy 55 is located at 101 West Lincoln St, Tullahoma.  For more information, please call 931-455-5678 or email Director@highway55unitedway.org.