We believe that the faith community serves as a beacon of hope in times of crisis and we know that many of your faith community are looking to you for information. As a result, we want to continue to provide you access to the information across government that can support you in leading in your community.
If you are wondering how you can help contribute to your community's response, we implore you to reach out directly to your local emergency management office and communicate how you are willing to help. Whether providing volunteers, preparing meals and packaging care kits for responders or serving those that cannot leave their homes, our faith community is an important and necessary part of the response, and ongoing coordination with local community responders is critical.
Thank you for leading beyond the walls of your house of worship. After 20+ years of disaster relief and emergency management, I can testify that the one commonality in every event is that that the faith community is always there finding new and exemplary ways of serving others. I will NEVER forget that and I will always champion the work of every one of you!
Many news outlets and social media platforms are flooding our screens with information, some of these are facts while others are rumors. Please visit website to help your friends, family, and communities know the facts.
While there are many assistance programs and legislative actions taking place, we want to focus your attention on a few items that may be of interest to you – Public Assistance (PA) for Emergency Protective Measures Guidelines, Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNP) Waivers, and additional opportunities for helping us throughout this fight.
FEMA Public Assistance Program
Under President Trump's COVID-19 nationwide emergency declaration, government may provide assistance as emergency protective measures. Examples include: mass care efforts like congregate sheltering, emergency feeding of responders, disinfection of eligible public facilities, emergency medical care, under direction and guidance from government and public health officials. This program is available to government to support protective measures for COVID-19. If you identify that you have resources to support the community, doing so in coordination or at the direction of government may be reimbursable under this program.
SBA Disaster Assistance
SBA is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small business, certain non-profits, and Houses of Worship suffering substantial economic loss as a result of COVID-19.
USDA FNP Waivers
USDA is issuing all of its 15 nutrition programs, with its flexibilities and contingencies to serve program participants. USDA is allotting waivers that ease program operations and protect the health of participants. Please click the title above for more information.
Below is list of resources that are regularly updated. Once again, thank you for rising to the occasion and being the first responders of your community.
