McKean County has been awarded $17,679 in federal funding under Phase 41 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP).

Congress appropriates funds annually to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas. The local board, made up of representatives from McKean County, will determine how funds are distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.

Local agency representation includes The Salvation Army, McKean/Potter Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross, United Way of the Bradford Area, Catholic Charities, Ministerial Association, local government, the McKean County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and YWCA of Bradford. These representatives will determine how the funds awarded to McKean County are to be distributed The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive the funds and any additional funds made available during the current phase. Each phase requires a separate application and will be voted on separately.

The National Board comprises representatives from health and human service agencies across the country. Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must:

Qualifying public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Local Board Chair Sarah Lonzi by mail, c/o United Way of the Bradford Area Inc., P.O. Box 504, Bradford, PA 16701; by email at sarah.lonzi@uwbanews.org or by phone at (814) 368-6181.

Funds will be allocated to one local recipient organization per program/service; organizations which are able to meet spending and document submission requirements; and those which have electronic communication capabilities. The deadline for applications is 2 p.m. Feb. 29.