LAKE COUNTY — Lake County recently received allocation from federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board program.
Lake County was chosen to receive $43,862 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.
Proposals for local distribution are currently being solicited.
The selection for the funds was made by a national board that is chaired by the U.S. 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 local board chairwoman Georgina Lehne, the 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, 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 under Phase 29.
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 and Clearlake Methodist churches, Lakeport Senior Center, Seventh Day Adventist Church in Lakeport; 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 Lehne at 987-7337. Proposals must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Aug. 16.
