County receives federal funds

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Crawford County has been awarded additional federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program and will receive $21,640 with $433 for administration to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from the Salvation Army; American Red Cross; United Jewish Communities; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; and United Way of America. The local 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 United Way, Red Cross, council on aging, the Salvation Army, Crestline Assistance and Ministries, community action, jobs and family services and a county commissioner will determine how the funds awarded to Crawford County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capacity to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.,

Crawford County has distributed emergency food and shelter funds previously with the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Ohio Heartland Community Action Commission, and Crestline Assistance and Ministries participating. These agencies were responsible for providing meals, lodging, shelter and utility assistance.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for emergency food and shelter program funds may contact Karen Wise at 419-468-5121 for information.

The E.F.S.P. meeting is scheduled for May 13 at 10 a.m. at the Crawford office of the Ohio Heartland Community Action Com-mission at 352 South St. in Galion.