LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i United Way secured federal funding through an emergency food and shelter program designed to provide food, rent, utility and other assistance to people in need.
KUW submitted a proposal requesting that a portion of discretionary set-aside statewide funds be directed to Kaua‘i to address the hardships facing many of the island’s population. The result is Kaua‘i will receive $165,992 through Phase ARRAR Fund, and $53,706 through Phase 39 Fund, for a total of $219,698.
“This is a great amount of money — federal funds for emergency food and shelter for our island,” said KUW Acting Executive Director Lori Almarza. “However, we are under federal mandates to go through the proper process to release this money in a very short time.”
The secured funding needs to be used by April 30, 2023, and a special board will be convened by KUW to distribute the money to a qualifying Kaua‘i social-service organization.
The special allocations board will consider applications from last year’s recipient organizations along with other groups that may apply for this funding. Kaua‘i organizations that currently provide emergency food and/or shelter services and meet the following criteria may apply for a portion of this funding:
• 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;
• Provide complete documentation for all expenditures.
Organizations meeting these criteria and wish to be considered for funding must submit one hard copy of their proposal of two pages or less, certifying compliance with the outlined 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 that will be served.
Applications must be received at the KUW office no later than noon Wednesday, March 23. This short time for response is in accordance with federal regulations.
A copy of the application can be emailed to Almarza at lori@kauaiunitedway.org. For more detailed information on applying, call 808-245-2043.
Without the KUW to apply for and administer the funding, this money would not have been available to help those in need on Kaua‘i.
The KUW is an independent, volunteer-driven organization that 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.
• Info: 808-245-2043
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
