Marathon County has been awarded federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. Marathon County has been chosen to receive $16,317 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. Non-profit organizations and local government agencies providing food and shelter services in Marathon County are eligible to apply for funding. Applications are available at the United Way office, 705 S. 24th Ave, Ste 400B, Wausau. The application deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, July 6.

These funds must be used for mass shelter, mass feeding, food distribution through food pantries and food banks, one-month utility programs to prevent service cut-off, and one-month rent/mortgage assistance to prevent evictions or assist people leaving shelters to establish stable living conditions.

To qualify, the organization must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, 6) and if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.

A local board comprised of representatives from county government, local human services agencies, and minority and veterans groups will review the applications and distribute funds awarded to Marathon County. The local board has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously to Catholic Charities, the Community Center of Hope, Energy Services, AIDS Resource Center, The Neighbor’s Place, the Salvation Army, Hmong American Center, Inc., and The Women’s Community.

Those wishing for more information about the funds may contact United Way of Marathon County’s Administrative Assistant, Nancy Newville, at 715-298-5717.