Washington County has been chosen to receive $13,451 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. The amount awarded is based on the total number of unemployed and people in poverty in the county as compared to other jurisdictions.
Funds will be distributed to qualifying agencies that apply for funding. Under the terms of the federal grant, local agencies chosen to receive funds 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, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.
The funding award was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Jewish Federations of North America, The Salvation Army; and, United Way Worldwide.
The local board, chaired by United Way Executive Director Kristin Brandner, is charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. The local board, made up of the United Way of Washington County, Department of Social Services, Family Promise, Friends of Abused Families, St. Vincent DePaul Society, Youth & Family Project, and other agencies and individuals, will determine how the funds awarded to Washington County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.
Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds should contact Kristin Brandner or Karin Westerlund, at the United Way of Washington County office, (262) 338-3821, by Wednesday, January 9th.