Emergency Food & Shelter Program

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough has been awarded $88,152.00 in Federal funds under the Department of Homeland Security. The intent of this funding is to address hunger and homeless needs in the community. These funds will be distributed by a Local Board and are used to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food and supportive services for the Mat-Su’s hungry, homeless, and people in economic crisis. The award amount is based on the average number of unemployed individuals in our area, the total number of individuals below the poverty line and our jurisdiction’s total population.

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program is a needs based program, for which clients must qualify. The minimum award amount is $500.00. Eligible program costs include served meals, food purchases for food banks/pantries/food providers/mass feeding, transportation for food banks/pantries and other food providers, mass shelter, other shelter assistance, rent/mortgage assistance, utility assistance, transportation for mass shelter/mass feeding.

Funds awarded will need to be expended by March 31, 2020 (Spending period 10/01/2018 – 03/31/2020). Funds from this program may only be used for residents and transients of the Mat-Su Borough. No individual, family or household may be charged a fee for service or be required to attend religious/counseling services with relation to assistance received under EFSP. For rent/mortgage and utility assistance, agencies may not provide assistance to the same client for the same service.

Local agencies chosen to receive funds must:

• be private voluntary non-profits or units of government,
• have a financial management system,
• practice nondiscrimination,
• have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs,
• include a recent independent audit or financial review,
• be in good standing with EFSP without any compliance issues, and
• have a DUNS number.

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply. The deadline for applications to be received is September 9, 2019.

View or download Responsibilities and Requirements Manual and Application below:

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.