Vernon County awarded federal funds for the emergency food and shelter

The Vernon County jurisdiction of the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program has been chosen to receive $5,914 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.

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 Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A; the Salvation Army; United Jewish Communities 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 such entities, will determine how the funds awarded to Vernon 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 made available through the ARRA.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, be eligible to receive federal funds, have an accounting system, practice nondiscrimination, have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a volunteer board.

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply, in writing by May 22. Applications need to be mailed to West Central Missouri Community Action Agency, P.O. Box 125, Appleton City, MO 64724, in care of Peggy Kalberion.