(Milwaukee, WI – February 10, 2005) United Way of Greater Milwaukee has announced that Ozaukee County’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program Board (EFSP) has been selected to receive $16,378 under its Emergency Food and Shelter Program. The FEMA National Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas across the country. For information on the application process, organizations should contact Duane Mireles or Karen Janssen, at United Way of Greater Milwaukee, (262) 377-1126, no later than February 25, 2005 at 4:00 pm.

United Way of Greater Milwaukee’s Ozaukee office is the facilitator for distribution of the funds. EFSP’s local board, is made up of representatives from the United Way, American Red Cross-Ozaukee, League of Women Voters, Ozaukee County Department of Social Services, Mequon-Thiensville Ministerial Association, the Food Pantry, Advocates of Ozaukee, and The Salvation Army. This local board will determine how funds awarded to Ozaukee County are to 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 FEMA National Board requires the following criteria be met to qualify for funding consideration:

1. maintain 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status for non-profit agencies;
2. maintain a generally-accepted accounting system and provide most recent annual audit;
3. practice non-discrimination policies;
4. provide proof of demonstrated capability to deliver food and/or shelter program services; and
5. provide a roster of the voluntary, operational Board of Directors if the agency is a private, voluntary organization. Organizations meeting these criteria and interested in providing emergency food/shelter services are urged to apply.