Emergency Food and Shelter Program

 

OTTUMWA, Iowa—Wapello County has been chosen to receive $12,937.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Salvation Army; United Jewish Communities and, United Way of America.  The National 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 United Way of Wapello County, Crisis Center, SEIDA, Ottumwa Community Housing, and the Catholic Community et al. will determine how the funds awarded to Wapello 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 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.

“The United Way of Wapello County helps administer the Emergency Food and Shelter Program locally,” said Desiree Johnson, President and CEO of the United Way of Wapello County.  “Wapello County is very fortunate to receive these funds to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in our community.”

Completed applications must be submitted by noon on November 18, 2013.