Hill County groups can apply for FEMA funds to provide food and shelter

Press release

Hill County has been chosen to receive a Phase 39 award of $6,933, Phase 40 award of $4,542, and Phase 41 award of $5,041.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. Funds must be spent by December 31, 2024.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from the Salvation Army; American Red Cross; United Jewish Communities; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A .; and, United Way of America which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent. The 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.

The Hill County FEMA Board will determine how the funds awarded to Hill County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations in the area. The Hill County FEMA Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.

Under terms of the grant from the National Board, local organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) Non-profit, faith-based, and governmental organizations that provide food, shelter, and supportive services within the program intent (Food, Shelter, Utility services), 2) have an accounting system and maintain a checking account in the organization’s name, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have a Unique Entity Identifier — http://www.sam.gov — and FEIN 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.

Hill County FEMA Board has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with, The Havre Food Bank, Greater Havre Area Ministerial Association, golden Triangle Mental Health Center, Salvation Army, and Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen.

Interested organizations need to send a letter stating the amount of funds requested for each phase and their intended use to Kiera Patera, District 4 HRDC, 2229 5th Avenue, Havre, MT 59501. Letters must be postmarked by November 22, 2024. The Hill County FEMA Board will determine the final allocation.