LAKE COUNTY — The county has been awarded more than $37,000 in federal funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.
Lake County was selected by a national board to supplement emergency food and shelter programs, according to Traci Rorabaugh, of North Coast Opportunities, Inc. (NCO). The board is chaired by FEMA and consists of representatives from the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Salvation Army; United Jewish Communities and the United Way of America.
A local board, made up of representatives from food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the county and service agencies, was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand such programs, Rorabaugh stated. They will determine how the funds awarded to Lake County will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by agencies in the area.
The board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.
Under the terms of the grant from the national board, agencies chosen to receive funds must: be private voluntary, nonprofits or units of government; be eligible to receive federal funds; have an accounting system; practice nondiscrimination; have demonstrated the capability 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, Rorabaugh stated.
Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Rorabaugh at 467-3201 or trorabaugh@ncoinc.org to receive an application. The deadline for applications to be received is noon on Oct 31. Applications may be submitted electronically or dropped off at the Clearlake office at 14832 Lakeshore Drive. Electronic applications preferred.
