The department of Homeland Security and FEMA have awarded $93,250 to Buncombe County under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program, according to Buncombe Co.’s Health & Human Services Department.
The federal funds will go to supplementing the county’s food and shelter programs in high-need areas, and will be distributed to local non-profit organizations and government agencies working to combat food and shelter inequality and crises.
A local board made up of community organizations will determine how the funding, which was appropriated by the US Congress as part of a national campaign, is distributed, as well as any future funds received.
Previous recipients of Federal Emergency Food and Shelter funding include ABCCM, Manna Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels of Asheville, among others. In 2014, these organizations provided $97,977 towards emergency shelter and utility assistance.
Agencies who wish to apply for funding are urged to contact Tracie Franklin at tracie.franklin@buncombecounty.org or by phone (828-250-5564) before March 24th.
Read the full press release from BCH&HS below:
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. – Buncombe County has been awarded $93,250 in federal funds, made available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program, to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.
The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, The Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide. The Local 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 community organizations will determine how the funds awarded to Buncombe County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds made 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) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.
Buncombe County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously through ABCCM, Children First Communities in Schools, Eblen Charities, Manna Food Bank, Meals on Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County, Swannanoa Community Council and The Salvation Army. These agencies were responsible for providing $97,977 of emergency shelter and utility assistance last year through these funds.
Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Tracie Franklin, tracie.franklin@buncombecounty.org or (828) 250-5564 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is March 24, 2015.
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