The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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February 14, 2010

County gets funds for food, shelter programs



Walker County has been chosen to receive more than $26,400 to support emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

 The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representative from the Salvation Army; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; and, United Way of America. 

The Local Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

 A local Board made up of Walker County Judge Danny Pierce, Walker County Government; Les Pool, Advocate for the Homeless; Father Stephen Payne, Catholic Charities; Georgia Elmer, Community Organization for Missionary Endeavor; Joline Miller, SAAFE House; Dave Smith, Ministerial Alliance; Frank Ivory, Senior Center of Walker County; and Julie Schneider, United Way of Walker County; will determine how the funds awarded to Walker County are distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in Walker County. 

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 agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capacity to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. 

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

 Walker County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously to the following service groups: Good Shepherd Mission, SAAFE House, Senior Center of Walker County, Community Organization for Missionary Endeavor, and Riverside Crisis Closet and FBC New Waverly Food Pantry.

 Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact the Rev. Dave Smith, Director, Good Shepherd Mission P.O.Box 7281, Huntsville, Texas 77342 or e-mail: gsmission@suddenlink.net . 

The application deadline is March 15.

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