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Local FEMA board to get emergency program money

The Huntington County Local FEMA Board has been chosen to receive approximately $5,000 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the United States 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 USA; The Jewish Federations of North America; The Salvation Army; and United Way Worldwide.

The local board was charged with distributing the 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 Catholic Charities, Chamber of Commerce, mayor of Huntington, Community and Family Services, Salvation Army, township trustee, Love In the Name of Christ, United Way of Huntington County, American Red Cross and Huntington House will determine how the funds awarded to Huntington 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 and any additional funds made available under this phase of the program.

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 or shelter programs and, if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Jenna Strick, executive director of United Way of Huntington County, 356-6160 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is Dec. 12.