FEMA awards grant funds to VW County

Van Wert independent/submitted information

Van Wert County has been chosen to receive $4,649 to supplement food and shelter programs in Van Wert County.

The selection was made by a national board chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consisting of representatives from The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Jewish Communities Catholic Charities, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA: and United Way Worldwide, which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent.

A local board is responsible 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 made up of Andy McMahon of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Candi Sites of First United Methodist Church Cooperative Ministries, Van Wert County representative Mike Jackson, Northwest Ohio Community Action Commission representative Angie Franklin, American Red Cross Director Sandy Lane, Major Judy Barter of the local Salvation Army, Jamie Evans of the YWCA, and Annette Balyeat and Deb Russell of the United Way of Van Wert County.

The local FEMA board will determine how the funds awarded to Van Wert County are distributed among 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:

• Be private, voluntary non-profits or units of government
• Have an accounting system
• Practice non-discrimination
• Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs
• If a private non-profit, be operated by a volunteer board

Qualifying organizations are urged to apply. Van Wert County distributed FEMA funds last year to Cooperative Ministries, Salvation Army, and the YWCA.

Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for FEMA funds must contact Russell at the United Way office for an application.  The deadline for applications is Monday, November 25, at noon.

For more information, contact the United Way of Van Wert County at 419.238.6689.