United Way of Greater Milwaukee: Ozaukee County emergency food and shelter program selected to receive more than $24,000 from FEMA

For Immediate Release Contact:

Betsy Rourke: 263-8111

-or-

Julie Rothwell, 263-8127

(Milwaukee, February 25, 2009) – The Federal Emergency Management Association’s national board is allocating $24,973 to Ozaukee County’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program for 2009.

The Ozaukee Emergency Food and Shelter Program Board (EFSP) manages and distributes the Congress-appropriated funds to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in the area. United Way of Greater Milwaukee is the administrative facilitator for distribution of the funds.

The Ozaukee EFSP board includes representatives from: United Way of Greater Milwaukee, American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin, Catholic Charities, The Food Pantry, Advocates of Ozaukee, Ozaukee County Department of Social Services, Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc., Family Sharing, Salvation Army, and former homeless individuals. This group of agencies will determine how funds awarded in 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.

Under the terms of the grant from the FEMA national board, local agencies eligible to receive funds must: 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 in Ozaukee County are urged to apply.

For information on the application process, organizations should contact Julie Rothwell at United Way of Greater Milwaukee (414-263-8127) no later than March 13, 2009.

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The FEMA National Board is located in Alexandria, VA and consists of representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Council of Jewish Federations, Catholic Charities – USA, and the National Council of Churches of Christ – USA. United Way of America provides administrative staff and acts as National Fiscal Agent for the program.