Funds available to agencies for emergency food and shelter.

LUDINGTON — Mason County has been awarded federal funds in the amount of $17,366, which have been made available through the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency.   The funds will be used to supplement emergency food and shelter programs throughout the county.

According to the national board, local organizations must meet the following criteria to receive funds:  be private voluntary non-profit or unit 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; and, if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.

Organizations meeting these qualifications are encouraged to apply for these funds by contacting Lynne Russell, United Way of Mason County, 108 South Rath Avenue, Suite 201, Ludington or by phone at 231-843-8593 for an application by Wednesday, March 4, 2015.  The local board will be meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 to determine how the dollars should be awarded to local agencies.

The amount awarded was determined by a national board chaired by the U.S Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and is made up of representatives from The Salvation Army; American Red Cross; United Jewish Communities; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; and United Way Worldwide.  This board was given the task of distributing funds appropriated by congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

In turn, a local board made up of representatives from American Red Cros, Catholic Charities West Michigan, C.O.VE., Cornerstone Baptist Church, Department of Human Services, FiveCAP, Inc., Ludington Area Senior Center, Mason County board of commissioners, The Salvation Army of Mason County and United Way of Mason County will determine how the funds awarded to Mason County are to be distributed among the 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.   In 2014, the local board distributed funds to C.O.V.E. and FiveCAP, Inc.,  for the purpose of providing food, utility assistance and shelter to the residents of Mason County.