From staff reports

Jackson County has been awarded federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. Jackson County has been chosen to receive $6,791 for 2004 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the area.

The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Council of Jewish Federations, Catholic Charities, USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. and the United Way of America.

The local board is made up of members representing various non-profit affiliations including The Ministerial Alliance, Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group,Inc., a community representative and a local government official. This local board will determine how the funds awarded to Jackson County will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations. 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 capability 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.

Jackson has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc. and The Salvation Army. These agencies were responsible for providing meals, rent and utility assistance.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Neil Montgomery, 900 S. Carver Rd./P.O. Box 1088 Altus, OK 73522 or 482-5040 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is Monday, Feb. 2.

For more information about this program, please contact Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group, Inc. at 482-5040.