United Way of McLean County receives funding for EFSP

Posted on June 7, 2018
The federal government has provided the United Way of McLean County with funding to be given to non-profit organizations in the community. (WJBC file photo)

By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have provided the United Way of McLean County funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

United Way was awarded $79,293 for the EFSP. United Way of McLean County CEO David Taylor said that money will be used to help non-profit organizations in the area that provide crucial services.

“It’s a blessing to have money that would come from the federal government to help with issues in the community where there might be needs related to homelessness, crisis interventions, things like that,” Taylor explained.

The national EFSP board provides funds to counties based on calculations for unemployment and poverty rates in each respective area. Taylor said non-profit organizations can apply to receive funding by going online.

“If you go to our website, www.uwaymc.org, the applications are posted there,” Taylor said. “So anyone can click on those applications, see if they meet the criteria, and then can apply. Nonprofit organizations and others, anybody that’s a qualified 501(c)(3) can apply.”

United Way of McLean County will be receiving applications until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 15.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…