Emergency Food and Shelter Program Funds

MOUNT VERNON – Knox County has been awarded Federal funds to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county, the Knox County Commissioners and United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc. This award is considered Phase 38 fiscal year (FY2020) funding and is awarded to Knox County in the amount of $23,991.

The selection was made by a national board chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.  The board consists of representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, The Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide.  The local board was charged to distribute federally appropriated funds from Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

The local board is chaired by Knox County Commissioner Teresa Bemiller and co-chaired by United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc Executive Director Kelly Brenneman for Phase 38. The board determined how the funds awarded to Knox County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies.

Knox County has distributed emergency food and shelter funds for Phase 38 with The Winter Sanctuary Emergency Homeless Shelter and Centerburg Senior Services. Funds awarded will support free food programs, mass shelter, and emergency shelter. United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc has been selected to provide administrative staff support to the Local Program.

Phase 38 will run almost concurrently with previously awarded Phases 37 and CARES Act funding.  In 2020 Knox County has distributed emergency food and shelter funds for Phase 37 with The Winter Sanctuary Emergency Homeless Shelter. Knox County has distributed emergency food and shelter funds for Phase CARES with Alcohol & Drug Freedom Center of Knox County, New Directions: Knox County’s Domestic Abuse Shelter and Rape Crisis Shelter, The Salvation Army of Mount Vernon, Apostolic Christian Church food pantry, and Covenant Church food pantry. Funds awarded will support free food programs, mass shelter, emergency shelter, rent and mortgage assistance, and utility assistance. United Way of Knox County Ohio, Inc has been selected to provide administrative staff support to the Local Program.

“United Way of Knox County, the Knox County Commissioners and the EFSP Board are thrilled to see the increase in federal money coming back into Knox County for emergency food and shelter needs.” commented Kelly Brenneman, United Way of Knox County Executive Director. “This will be put to good use by The Winter Sanctuary and Centerburg Senior Services.”

United Way of Knox County is a cornerstone of community wellness and success. We strategically connect partners and resources to community needs in order to measurably impact the quality of the lives of Knox County residents. To learn more, visit uwayknox.org.