Scott Giarman, executive director for the Kaua‘i United Way, said recently that Kaua‘i has been allocated $14,500 from the federal Emergency Food and Shelter program, funded by Federal Emergency Management Agency and administered by local United Way chapters. The federal
Scott Giarman, executive director for the Kaua‘i United Way, said recently that Kaua‘i has been allocated $14,500 from the federal Emergency Food and Shelter program, funded by Federal Emergency Management Agency and administered by local United Way chapters.
The federal Emergency Food and Shelter program is designed to provide food, rent, utilities and other assistance to people in need, states a KUW release.
Funding is distributed based on a formula which measures relative poverty conditions across the nation.
“Kaua‘i United Way wrote a proposal requesting that a portion of discretionary set-aside statewide funds be directed to Kaua‘i to address the hardships facing many of our local citizens,” Giarman said in the release. “As a result, Kaua‘i is receiving $14,500 from this program. A special board will be convened by Kaua‘i United Way to distribute this money to qualifying Kaua‘i social service organizations.”
He said there is a federal mandate to spend this money by the end of March.
The special allocations board will consider applications from last year’s recipient organizations along with others who may apply.
Kaua‘i organizations which currently provide emergency food and/or shelter services and meet the following criteria may apply for a portion of this funding.
Qualifying organizations must have certified nonprofit status, use funds to supplement and extend existing resources, have a Federal Employer Identification number, practice non-discrimination, comply with all local and federal reporting requirements, and provide complete documentation for all expenditures.
Organizations meeting these criteria and wish to be considered for funding must submit a hard copy of their proposal in two pages or less, certifying compliance with the above conditions as well as describing their organization, the project to be considered, the need for this project, the amount of funding requested, and the number of people to be served.
Copies may be emailed to Lori Almarza at lori@kauaiunitedway.org.
Applications must be received in the offices of Kaua‘i United Way no later than 1 p.m., Jan. 16 to be considered.
Giarman said the short time of response is in accordance with federal regulations.
Without Kaua‘i United Way to apply for, and administer the funds, the money would not have been available to those in need on Kaua‘i, he said.
Kaua‘i United Way is an independent, volunteer-driven organization which has been devoted to providing for the social service needs of Kaua‘i since 1943 by making available a framework for community self-help.
Money raised on Kaua‘i stays on Kaua‘i, Giarman said.
Call 245-2043 for more information about Kaua‘i United Way.
