Chelan and Douglas Counties have been awarded federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

Chelan and Douglas counties have been chosen to receive $65,030.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. Chelan County will be awarded $42,800 and Douglas County will be awarded $22,230.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s 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. 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 YWCA, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and Chelan Douglas Community Action Council will determine how the funds awarded to Chelan and Douglas counties 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 made 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 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, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Chelan and Douglas Counties has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with YWCA, Chelan Valley Hope, Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council, Wenatchee Food Bank, PowerHouse Ministry Center, and Entiat Valley Community Services Food Bank. These agencies were responsible for providing served meals, nights of shelter, rent assistance and utility assistance.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program Funds must contact Local Board Chair, Laura Cale E: laura@ywcancw.org P: (509) 662-3531 x112 for an application. Or you can find the application online by visiting https://www.ywcancw.org/what-were-doing/efsp/. The deadline for applications to be received is Friday April 7, 2023.