Deadline to apply for emergency funds is March 17

Cherokee County has been awarded federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

Cherokee County has been chosen to receive $44,427 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

The selection was made by the National Board that is chaired by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Salvation Army; United Jewish Communities and United Way of America. The local board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in highneed areas around the country.

A local board made up of representatives of American Red Cross, Catholic charities, churches, the Salvation Army, United Way, other agencies, and the county administrator will determine how the funds awarded to Cherokee 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 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-profit or units of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capacity to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualified agencies are urged to apply.

Cherokee County has distributed emergency food and shelter funds previously with the Cherokee Children's Home, PeachCenter Ministries, Iron City Ministries, the Salvation Army, and Gaffney Soup Kitchen participating. These agencies were responsible for providing 6,000 meals, 979 nights of lodging, and 93 families assisted with utilities.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for emergency food and shelter program funds must contact R. Dewitt Clyde, 120 Stacy Dr., Gaffney, S.C. 29341, or call 489-1472 or 839- 7397 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is March 17, 2008.