County receives $11,379 for food, shelter programs

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Douglas County has been chosen to receive $11,379 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

These funds have been made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities; USA; National Churches of Christ in the U.S.A; The Salvation Army; United Jewish Communities and United Way of America.

The board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

A local board made up of The Salvation Army, Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Ministerial Association representative, County Auditor, a homeless person and United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties will determine how the funds awarded to Douglas County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.

The board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds made available through the ARRA.

Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local governmental or private voluntary organizations 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.

Douglas County has distributed emergency food and shelter funds previously with West Central Communities Action and the Outreach Food Shelf participating.

These agencies were responsible for providing food as well as utility and housing assistance.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for ARRA Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Linda Roles at the United Way Office by calling (320) 763-4840 or e-mail unitedw@rea-alp.com.

Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m., July 3. Submit applications to the United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties at P.O. Box 1148, Alexandria, MN or by fax to (320) 763-4840.

Tags: news, local, food, shelter, grants