ALTUS — Jackson County has been awarded federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. Jackson County has been chosen to receive $10,557 for 2006 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, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of the 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.
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 County 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, emergency lodging 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 Road/P.O. Box 1088, Altus, OK 73522 or 482-5040 for an applications. The deadline for applications to be received is Tuesday, Jan. 31.
For more information about this program, please contact Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group Inc., 900 S. Carver Road, Altus, 482-5040.
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