Organizations may apply now for FEMA funds

LAPEER COUNTY — Lapeer County has been awarded federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

Lapeer County will receive $106,782, a 1.75 percent increase from last year's allocation, to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the area.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Council of Jewish Federations, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and United Way of America which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal sponsor. The 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 made up of the local representatives of the above groups as well as organized labor, local governmental units, the business community and other not-forprofit organizations will determine how the funds awarded to Lapeer County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations in the area. The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program. Since 1982, Lapeer County has received and distributed $1,420,479 via fifteen local organizations.

Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local governmental or private voluntary organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) be non-profit, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board.

Organizations must submit applications for grant money by 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 17. Applications are available 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the United Way Office, 328 S. Saginaw St., Suite 501, Flint. Details: 810-762-5824.