Sumter County has been awarded $37,005 to supplement Emergency Food and Shelter Programs in the county. 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 these Federal 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 United Way of Lake & Sumter Counties, Mid Florida Community Services, Mid Florida Homeless Coalition, Inc., et al. will determine how the funds awarded to Sumter County 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) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food, shelter, or utility assistance programs
2) be eligible to receive Federal funds
3) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government
4) have an accounting system
5) practice non-discrimination
6) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board
7) applicants must be entering data into the Mid Florida Information Network system or willing to participate (Local Board recommendation)
Sumter County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Hope Ministries. This agency was responsible for providing food assistance.
Applications are now available.
Agencies interested in applying for EFSP Phase 36 Program funds may:
- Email a request to mfhc015@gmail.com
- Find it on the midfloridahomeless.org website
- Pick up an application at the Mid Florida Homeless Coalition office located at
104 E. Dampier St., Inverness, FL, 34450 (Office hours are 8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday)
Phone: 352-860-2308
Completed applications are to be submitted to Mid Florida Homeless Coalition via mail or drop-off. The deadline for application submission is September 13, 2019 by 5:00pm. Applications received at 5:00 p.m. will not be accepted.