Bradford County has been awarded $8,949 in state-set-aside funds through
Phase 33 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP).
These funds will be available to supplement food and shelter programs in
the county. The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by
the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency
and consists of representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic
Charities, National Council of the Churches of Christ, the Salvation Army,
United Jewish Communities 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 representatives of the Abuse and Rape
Crisis Center, the American Red Cross, the Bradford County Grants
Department, The Bridge of the Penn York Valley Churches, Grace Connection,
Futures Community Support Services, Guthrie Home Health, the Salvation
Army, Towanda Area Christian Outreach and the Troy Food Pantry will
determine how the funds awarded to Bradford 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 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 nonprofits or units
of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice
nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capacity to deliver emergency
food and/or shelter program, and 5) if they are private voluntary
organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifies agencies are
encouraged to apply.
The local Bradford County Board will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at
10 am at Futures Community Support Services, 23 Main Street, Towanda. Qualified agencies interested in a portion of these funds are encouraged to attend the meeting and/or contact Kerri Strauss, local program administrator at kerri.strauss@unitedwaybradfordcounty.org or
570-247-5569 by Sept. 21.