FEMA’s Emergency Food & Shelter Grant Open For Applications from Nonprofits Serving Calcasieu Parish

FEMA’s Emergency Food & Shelter Grant Open For Applications from Nonprofits Serving Calcasieu Parish

United Way of Southwest Louisiana's President and CEO, Denise Durel, meets with one of the Merryville families who received assistance from the Wildfire Relief Fund. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by natural disasters.

LAKE CHARLES, LA, April 9 –  United Way of Southwest Louisiana is currently accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations assisting residents in Calcasieu Parish with food and/or shelter. A federal grant is available for distribution in Calcasieu Parish, and applications must be submitted by 4:00 pm on April 25, 2024, through the online portal at unitedwayswla.org/efsp.

The Emergency Food & Shelter FEMA Board has allocated Phase 41 funds of $66,992 to supplement emergency food and/or shelter programs in Calcasieu Parish. Appropriated by Congress, these funds help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people across the country based on population, unemployment, and poverty rates. United Way of Southwest Louisiana has been chosen as the agency to oversee the grant process, with a board selected from volunteers in Calcasieu Parish.

Nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria may apply by submitting an application to United Way of Southwest Louisiana before 4:00 pm on April 25, 2024:

- Nonprofit organization governed by an unpaid board

- Have a qualified accounting system with annual audits

- Practice non-discrimination

- Have a UEI number

- Currently assisting Calcasieu Parish residents

- Demonstrate a proven capacity for administering local emergency food and/or shelter programs

Applicants will be notified by May 3, 2024, if their project will be funded. Any nonprofit meeting the qualifications can download the application online at unitedwayswla.org/efsp

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About United Way of Southwest Louisiana

Working with the community and many partners for 84 years, United Way of Southwest Louisiana tackles the critical human services issues facing our five-parish footprint of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis. Our United approach is changing the odds for all children, families and individuals in the community, so we all have the opportunity to succeed. Learn more about our life-changing work at Unitedwayswla.org and follow us on social media @UnitedWayofSWLA

- Operating in the TOP 9% of all U.S. United Ways. –TOP 125 out of 1185 United Ways!
- Maintains a 4-STAR charity rating with Charity Navigator and a PLATINUM SEAL OF TRANSPARENCY with Candid (formerly GuideStar)
- Mackenzie Scott Recipient (1^st year, member of the original #UNITEDWAY46)
- LEPA Award Winner 2022 from Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for Outstanding Service
- Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration