Bryan County has been chosen to receive $ 10,590.00 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 Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. and United Way of America which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent. The 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 National Board selects jurisdictions (cities or counties) for funding, not specific agencies. The federal department responsible for this program is the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These are not state/county government or United Way funds.

A Local Board made up of the City, United Way, and others will determine how the funds awarded to Bryan County are to 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 government of private voluntary organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) be non-profit, 2) have an accounting system and conduct an annual audit, 3) practice non-discrimination, 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.

Bryan County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Big Five Community Services, Inc., Ministerial Alliance & Salvation Army participating. These agencies were responsible for providing over 130 nights of lodging, utilities for 27 households and rent for 18 households.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Donna Pound, Big Five Community Services, 924-5331 for an application.

Dec. 17, 2012, is the deadline to receive applications.