NBUW Urges Organizations to Submit Food and Shelter Program Applications

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board has awarded Berkshire County $46,359 in Phase 41 (FY23) Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) assistance funding.
 
Northern Berkshire United Way, local administrator of the program, is urging qualifying organizations located throughout Berkshire County to submit an application for supplemental emergency food and shelter. Learn more and access the application at https://www.nbunitedway.org/emergencyfoodandshelterprogram.
 
Local organizations chosen to receive funds must be private voluntary nonprofits (with a voluntary board) or units of government; have an accounting system; practice non- discrimination; and have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs. Applicants must submit their application by email only with their financial audit by midnight April 15 to Patti Messina at pmessina@nbunitedway.org. Paper applications will not be accepted.
 
The funds are awarded through the Department of Homeland Security and the award is made by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board, that consists of representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, The Jewish Federations of North America, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and United Way Worldwide. Funds pass directly from the Department of Homeland Security to the EFSP program and then to local agencies. A subcommittee of a local board made up of representatives of organizations that are not requesting or receiving funds determine the actual organizations that receive funding.

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MassDOT Warns of Toll-fee Smishing Scam

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was alerted that a text message-based scam, also known as smishing, is fraudulently claiming to represent tolling agencies from across the country. The scammers are claiming to represent the tolling agency and requesting payment for unpaid tolls.

The targeted phone numbers seem to be chosen at random and are not uniquely associated with an account or usage of toll roads.

Customers who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from EZDriveMA or another toll agency should not click on the link.

EZDriveMA customers can verify a valid text notification in several ways:

  • EZDriveMA will never request payment by text
  • All links associated with EZDriveMA will include www.EZDriveMA.com

The FBI says it has received more than 2,000 complaints related to toll smishing scams since early March and recommends individuals who receive fraudulent messages do the following:

1. File a complaint with the  Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov; be sure to include:

The phone number from where the text originated.
The website listed within the text

2. Check your account using the toll service's legitimate website.

3. Contact the toll service's customer service phone number.

4. Delete any smishing texts received.

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