Warren County has been awarded federal grant money through Homeland Security Department and Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter Board Program.

Warren County has been chosen to receive a total of $15,872 in funding in order to supplement the emergency food and sprograms in the county.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Jewish Federations of North America; The Salvation Army; and, United Way Worldwide. 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 will determine how the money awarded to Warren County will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The board is responsible for recommending local 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 and/or shelter programs, and if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.

Public and private voluntary organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Tressa Sweeney, local chair, at 814-726-2400, ext. 109 for an application. The deadline for applications is April 5.