Published: March 12, 2008 11:02 pm         

Emergency Food & Shelter Board receives over $20,000

Garfield County Emergency Food & Shelter Board has received $20,636 in federal funds from the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

The funds were appropriated by Congress and are to be allocated by the Garfield County Emergency Food & Shelter Board to three non-profit agencies to expand the quality and capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas of Garfield County. They also can be used to provide food, shelter, rent/mortgage and utility assistance to help combat homelessness in the county.

Prospective agencies must be non-profit or a unit of the government, have an accounting system in place and practice nondiscrimination. An audit is required for all agencies with a 2007 annual budget of more than $100,000. Agencies also must have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food or shelter programs and must have a voluntary board, if the agency is non-profit and not a unit of the government.

The allocated funds will be used to help supplement existing programs. Agencies cannot use the funds for any new programs.

The selection was made by a national board headed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Agencies in the Garfield County area may apply by contacting United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma, 321 W. Cherokee, Suite C, for applications. All applications must be turned in by noon Tuesday. For information, contact United Way at 237-0821.