Oneida County has been awarded $4,498 and Vilas County has been awarded $2,837 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs within those counties under Phase 29 of the Emergency Food & Shelter National Board Program (EFSP.)

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the US Department of Homeland Security 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. A The local board will determine how the funds awarded to Oneida and Vilas Counties will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local services agencies. Under the terms of the grant, local agencies 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, they must have a voluntary board.

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply by calling Tracy Beckman, the Local Board Chairperson, at the Northwoods United Way Office, at (715) 369-0440 for the needed paperwork. The deadline for applications is Feb. 3, 2012.