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The Local Board is made up of community residents that will determine how the funds awarded to Lorain County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations in the area. The Local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under these programs. Lorain County was selected to receive EFSP funds by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The National Board consists of representatives from: The Salvation Army; American Red Cross; Council of Jewish Federations; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA; and, United Way of America. United Way of America provide the administrative staff and functions as fiscal agent for the National Board much in the same way the United Way of Greater Lorain County supports the Local Board. The National Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, Lorain County governmental or private voluntary organizations applying for EFSP funds must: 1) be non-profit; 2) have an accounting system and conduct an annual audit; 3) practice non-discrimination; 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and 5) must have a voluntary board if they are a private voluntary organization. Lorain County non-profit organizations qualifying under these criteria are urged to apply. Lorain County has distributed EFSP funds previously through the following non-profit organizations: Catholic Charities Services; Salvation Armies; Hunger Task Force/Emmanuel United Methodist Church; Neighborhood House Association; Oberlin Community Services; Lorain County Urban League; Lorain County Safe Harbor/Genesis House; Elyria City Health Department; and Second Harvest Food Bank.

Non profit organizations may obtain further information on the EFSP funds by contacting: The United Way of Greater Lorain County, Inc., at 277-6530/324-2898, ext. 31 or pchamberlain@uwglc.net. Applications are due on Monday, March 10, 2008.