Emergency Food and Shelter
National Board Program
 The Sullivan County Emergency Food and Shelter Program receives annual funding annually through Congressional appropriations. The funds are used to supplement and expand the emergency food and shelter program. United Way of Greater Kingsport provided oversight to recruit and convene a Local Board of Sullivan County volunteers since 2003. UWGK advertises available funding through newspaper and radio outlets, receives applications, convenes the Local  Board and handles administration of the allocation.
The funds go directly to the recipient organization. No actual money is handled at the local level. The United Way of Greater Kingsport does not receive any money to provide this service.
The Local Board members include representatives from the cities of Kingsport and Bristol, the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency, Second Harvest Food Bank, American Electric Power, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. The board also includes someone who is currently or formerly homeless.
Twice annually, the Local Board decides how dollars are spent within federal guidelines. It also defines the appeals process and reviews the distribution to local health and human service agencies to assure compliance.
The federal Emergency Food and Shelter National Board program, administered by FEMA, helps local nonprofit and government agencies serve homeless and hungry people not affected by disaster-related emergencies. Funds must be used to feed, shelter (including transitional) and/or provide rent/mortgage and utility assistance. Since 1983, the EFSP has distributed $2.3 billion to over 11,000 human service agencies in more than 2,500 communities across the country.
For further information the website for this program is Emergency Food and Shelter National Program or you may also contact the National Board staff at (703) 706-9660.
|
|
