Polk County has been chosen to receive $5,551.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the Department of Homeland Security&squo;s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Salvation Army; United Jewish Communities and United Way of America.&bsp; 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 funds awarded to Polk County are to be distributed among the programs run by local service organizations in the area.&bsp; The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under those of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local organizations chosen to receive funds must:

1. Be private voluntary nonprofit organizations or units of government

2. Have an accounting system

3. Practice nondiscrimination

4. Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs

5. If it is a private voluntary organization, it must have a voluntary board.

Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.

Polk County distributes emergency food and shelter funds with the Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry. These funds are utilized for all agencies for housing assistance, utilities, shelter, and all other crisis emergency needs.

Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Eloise Thwing, local board chair, for an application, at the Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry, 134 White Drive, P.O. Box 834, Columbus, N.C. 28722, or by telephone at 828-894-2988.

The deadline for application is July 9.