CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango County Emergency Food and Shelter Program (ESFP) is now accepting applications from organizations seeking to help people with economic emergencies not related to a disaster.

According to Chenango United Way Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program is a federal aid program created to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental.

“This supplemental funding is open to all organizations helping hungry and homeless people,” said Monaco. “ESFP funds must supplement feeding, sheltering, diapers, feminine hygiene, and rent, mortgage, and utility efforts only.”

There are a variety of eligible programs including: congregate meals, food purchases, home delivered meals, mass shelters, hotel/motel vouchers, rent/mortgage, cleaning supplies for shelters and feeding sites, diapers and feminine hygiene products, mall equipment purchases up to $300 per item, utility services for clients.

Monaco said the Chenango County EFSP Board uses this funding application to determine the highest level of needs and the best use of annual funds in Chenango County. She said that funding is limited each year, and for 2021, the total dollars available for Chenango County is $18,690.