LAKE COUNTY — Lake County Community Action Agency (LCCAA) Executive Director Georgina Lehne recently announced that Lake County was chosen to receive $57,960 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.
Proposals for local distribution are currently being solicited.
Lehne said that the selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the US Department of Homeland Security”s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, the Latino community, homeless representation and the United Way Worldwide. According to Lehne a local board is responsible for distributing the funds, which are appropriated by Congress, to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.
The local board consists of representatives from the Board of Supervisors, Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, Tribal government, United Way, LCCAA, the Latino community and homeless representation. The local board will determine how the funds awarded to Lake County will be distributed. Lehne said the local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive the 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 meet the following criteria: be private voluntary non-profits or units of government; be eligible to receive federal funds; have an accounting system; practice nondiscrimination; have demonstrated the capacity to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and, if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.
Lehne said that FEMA funds have been previously distributed in Lake County to Catholic Charities, Community Care, Free Kitchen, Lower Lake Methodist Church, LCCAA, and North Shore Ministries. She said these agencies are responsible for providing meals, food cupboard services and shelter to community residents in need.
Further information regarding the program may be obtained by contacting Georgina Lehne, local FEMA board chair person at LCCAA, 995-0495. Proposals must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. April 16.
