Published: February 08, 2010 11:16 pm      

Whitefield County awarded emergency food, shelter funds

Whitfield County has been chosen to receive $82,601 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

�The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA 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 reflecting the makeup of the national board and including representation of the city and county will determine how the funds awarded to Whitfield 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 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; and 5. If they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board.�Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Whitfield County has distributed emergency food and shelter funds previously with Dalton Organizations of Churches United for People (DOC-UP), the Salvation Army, Soul Station, Harbor House, Providence Ministries, Family Promise, Department of Child and Family Services and St. Vincent De Paul Society.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for these funds and receiving the phase 28 application must contact Margaret Zeisig, director of community solutions, United Way of Northwest Georgia, PO Box 566, Dalton, GA, 30720-0566 or call (706) 876-1599. By e-mail, [email protected]. Deadline for completed applications are due no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 18. Applying agencies will have a meeting with the local board on Feb. 23.