(Published in The Norman Transcript August 9. 2016, 1t) CLEVELAND COUNTY HAS BEEN AWARDED FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM. Cleveland County has been chosen to receive $76,267 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 Securitys Federal Emergency management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from Red Cross, Catholic Charities, USA United Jewish Communities, National Council on Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., The Salvation Army, the Jewish Federations of North America and United Way Worldwide. The United Way of Norman will provide the administrative staff ad function as the fiscal agent. The Local Board was charged to distribute funds approved by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. A Local Board was made up of the United Way of Norman, American Red Cross, Food and Shelter, Inc., City of Norman, The Salvation Army, Central Oklahoma Community Action, Inc., Catholic Charities, McFarlin United Methodist Church along with other community representatives, will determine how the funds ar awarded to Cleveland County will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations 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 organizations chosen to receive funds must 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice non-discrimination, 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 organizations are urged to contact the United Way of Norman for more information on making an application. Cleveland County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Salvation Army, and Food and Shelter, Inc. participating in 2015. These agencies were responsible for providing thousands of meals and hundreds of nights lodging as well as utility bill assistance, food pantry items and rent assistance. Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Renee OLeary, United Way of Norman 329-2025 for information. The deadline for application to be received is Wednesday, August 17, 2016.
↧