The United Way of Lincoln County announces that Lincoln County has been chosen to receive $79,605.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county and is looking for agencies to apply to disburse the funds.
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 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 local board is made up of representatives from Lincoln County Department of Social Services, Lincoln Housing Authority, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, American Red Cross, Job Link Career Center, Lincoln County Parks and Recreation, Hesed House of Hope, Gaston Community Action, and United Way of Lincoln County will determine how the funds awarded to Lincoln County are to be distributed among the programs that supplement emergency food and shelter assistance. 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 nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, 5) be eligible to receive federal funds and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.
Gaston Community Action has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously. This agency was responsible for distributing over $67,000 of funds received last year for rent/mortgage and utility bill assistance.
Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Laura Slack, at the United Way of Lincoln County, 704/732-8055, for an application. The deadline for submitting the completed application is Tuesday, March 30, 2010 by 3:00 pm