County to receive set-aside funding

Information submitted

Some local agencies and organizations could get a Christmas present from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the form of state set-aside funds.

“Van Wert County will receive some state set-aside funds,” states Deb Russell, FEMA Local Board president. “We have received notice saying we will be receiving something, but we have no idea how much.”

The selection is 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 USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and United Way of America, which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent. The board is responsible for distributing 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 Andrew McMahon of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Donna Grimm of Cooperative Ministries, Van Wert County representative Mike Jackson, American Red Cross Director Edie Laukhuf, Major Judy Barter of The Salvation Army, Jamie Evans of the YWCA, and Annette Balyeat and Deb Russell of 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. 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 Nation 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 they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board.

Qualifying organizations are urged to apply. In 2011 Van Wert County distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Cooperative Ministries, The Salvation Army, and the Crisis Care Line.

Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Russell at the United Way office for an application. The deadline for applications is at noon this coming Monday, December 10.

For more information, contact the United Way at 419.238.6689.