Flathead County awarded $23,000 for emergency food and shelter

Flathead County was awarded $23,785 in federal funds through the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program last week.

Grants are based on the most current 12-month national unemployment rates, the total number of unemployed within a civil jurisdiction, the total number of individuals below the poverty level within a civil jurisdiction and the total population of the county.

Since the program was established in 1983 under the Jobs Stimulus Bill, more than $3.8 billion has been awarded to 14,000 human services agencies in more than 2,500 communities.

The Northwest Montana EFSP Board will determine how the funds appropriated by Congress are to be distributed to help expand the capacity of food and shelters programs run by local service agencies in the area. This local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available through the program.

The selection was made by a national board chaired by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency consisting of representatives from the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities U.S.A., National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., the Salvation Army, United Jewish Communities and the United Way of America.

Under terms of the federal grant, local agencies chosen to receive funds must:

• Be private voluntary non-profits or units of government

• Have an accounting system

• Practice nondiscrimination

• Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter program

• In cases of private volunteer organizations, they must have a volunteer board.

For more information, contact the United Way at 752-7266.