The Emergency Disaster Aids Program (EDAP) was designed to provide a bit of the help where people have had large material losses because of a NATURAL DISASTER (fire, flood, tornado, etc.). This fund is available regardless of race, creed or color. It WAS NOT designed to replace insurance, welfare payments and the like, nor take care of health needs.
The procedures to follow are:
1. The grand knight, or his appointed representative should check with the victims of the natural disaster to ascertain their immediate needs - food, clothing, temporary shelter, etc. (items such as furniture or appliances are not considered an “immediate” need.)
2. The GRAND KNIGHT then calls the Charities Aid President and explains the needs - as well as indicating what the council plans to do to help. (If the Charities Aid President cannot be reached, call the Charities Aid Vice-President. Click here for a listing of the Charities Aid Foundation officers and their contact information.
3. If the request is approved, the local council should arrange for a store (or stores) to provide the necessary clothes, groceries, or other necessities for the family. Be sure the stores provide the itemized listing of the items provided.
4. The local council should pay the bill and send the itemized statements to the Charities Aid President. If the statements are approved, he will forward the statements to the state treasurer so the council can be reimbursed.
REMEMBER the Charities Aid president can approve amounts up to $200 without any matching funds from the local council. An additional fund amount of up to $200 can be requested. If approved, councils may provide up to $600 in aid with $400 being reimbursed from the EDAP Fund. Receipts totaling the entire grant must be submitted before the council can be reimbursed.
Under EDAP regulations, cash grants cannot be provided to funds set up for assistance to victims.
Also, make sure your council works at the “Pennies From Heaven” program thus assuring this help can continue to be provided.
© Knights of Columbus - Kansas State Council
For comments or questions please email webmaster@kansas-kofc.org