Henry County Emergency Food and Shelter (EFS) Board has been awarded funds for Phase 41 under the National Board Program.

The selection was made by a National Board 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 Churches of Christ in the USA; and the United Way of America. The decision of the Board was made from statistical information compiled by the State of Illinois and the Federal Government. The Henry County EFS Board consists of volunteers from throughout the County.

Under the terms of the grant, local Henry County Agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private non-profits or units of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Henry County EFS has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds since the program began. The recipient Agencies have taken immediate care of more people than can be imagined. Presently four agencies received funds last year: Colona Township Pantry, Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry, Salvation Army, and Orion Area Food Pantry. There are other Certified Agencies in Henry County who did not request funds.

Public or private voluntary agencies, which meet the five requirements listed above, and are interested in applying for EFS funds should contact Karen Doy by telephone at 309-721-1592. The deadline for requests is March 1, 2024.