February 28, 2011

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Tracey Laitinen, 632-3700

CHIPPEWA CO.  EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER GRANT for Phase 29

Chippewa County was awarded $31,688 in Federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program for Phase 28.  These funds were distributed by a Local Board and were used to expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in the county.  The total amount of the national appropriation was $2 million dollars.

The Local Board is made up of representatives from United Way, The Salvation Army, The American Red Cross, the Chippewa County Commission, Community Action, the Department of Human Services, the Sault Housing Commission, United Way of the EUP and a representative of the homeless population.  This board determines how the funds will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. 

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) 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. 

When and if funding becomes available, the National Board cannot guarantee any specific jurisdiction will qualify for funds or guarantee any particular level of funding.  Funding is neither currently available nor guaranteed due to a delay in Congress.

Applications can be found on our United Way website at: 

http://unitedwayeup.org/YourUnitedWay/EmergencyFoodShelter.aspx

Deadline is March 31, 2011

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