South Dakota awarded federal funds under EFSP

South Dakota awarded federal funds under EFSP The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that $250,000 has been awarded to South Dakota by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies. Funding will be allocated to Local Recipient Organizations (LROs) by the State Set-Aside committee using a formula based on current unemployment, poverty and household median income data from the entire state. The local boards of each LRO will then determine how those funds will be distributed to qualified agencies in the counties that they oversee. â�?¢ Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must: â�?¢ Be non-profit, â�?¢ Have accounting capabilities, â�?¢ Practice non-discrimination, â�?¢ Demonstrate ability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter services, and Convene a voluntary board (if a private entity). Agencies interested in applying for funding can contact Matt Gassen, the State Set-Aside Committee chair, at 605-335-0364 for information on where to apply for funding. Current participating LROs are not required to re-apply for funding during this phase, but should notify the State Set-Aside committee if they are considering changing their status as an LRO. Deadline for applications is no later than Feb. 18.