United Way: Milwaukee County emergency food and shelter program selected to receive more than $285,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

For Immediate Release Contact:

Maressa Sullivan: 263-8132

-or-

Julie Rothwell, 263-8127

(Milwaukee, May 20, 2009) – The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) has awarded $285,793 in federal funds to Milwaukee County’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for 2009.

The Milwaukee County EFSP board includes representatives from: United Way of Greater Milwaukee, American Red Cross of Southeastern Wisconsin, America’s Second Harvest of Wisconsin, Catholic Charities, Community Advocates, Hunger Task Force Inc., The Interfaith Conference of Milwaukee County, Jewish Family Services, Milwaukee County Human Services Department, Salvation Army, and Community Relations-Social Development Commission. This group of agencies will determine how funds awarded in Milwaukee County will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations in the area. The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds. The funding must be used by September 30, 2009.

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) be eligible to receive funds; 3) have an accounting system; 4) practice non-discrimination policies; 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and 6) provide a roster of the voluntary, operational board of directors if the agency is a private, voluntary organization.

Agencies applying for shelter funding must hold current membership with the Milwaukee Continuum of Care and have a demonstrated capability of providing secure, high quality shelter for homeless adults, children and/or families. Applicants will be asked to submit a proposal and show ability to demonstrate nonprofit 501(c)3 status; own/lease an appropriate facility located in Milwaukee County; have current occupancy permits; have an independent financial audit for the organization’s previous fiscal year; show adequate financial resources, staffing and the management capability to provide credible homeless shelter operations. Applicants must also show a verified history of credible homeless shelter programming and a confirmed need for funding.

Agencies applying for food assistance must demonstrate an increased need from newly unemployed people seeking food pantry assistance.

For information on the application process, organizations should contact Julie Rothwell at United Way of Greater Milwaukee (414-263-8127) or jrothwell@unitedwaymilwaukee.org no later than May 28, 2009.