Cherokee County, S.C. Local Board No. 7394.00 has been awarded federal funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

Cherokee County, S.C. Food and Shelter Board has been chosen to receive $26,988 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. These funds have been made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

The selection was made by a National Board that is charged 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 the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; the Salvation Army; United Jewish Communities and, United Way of America. The Local Board was charged to distribute funds appropriately 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 the Cherokee County Administrator, United Way, Catholic Charities, Peach- Center Ministries, Greater Gaffney Ministerial Association, Iron City Ministries, Gaffney Soup Kitchen, Town of Blacksburg, previous homeless person, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, Cherokee County Children's Home and two at large members, et al., will determine how the funds awarded to the Cherokee County, S.C. Food and Shelter Board 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 made available through the ARRA.

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; and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Cherokee County, S.C. Local Board No. 7394.00 has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Salvation Army, Cherokee County Children's Home, Iron City Ministries, Gaffney Soup Kitchen and PeachCenter Ministries participating. These agencies were responsible for providing 7,000 meals and 964 nights of lodging.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for ARRA Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact R. Dewitt Clyde, 120 Stacy Drive, Gaffney, SC 29341 at 864- 489-1472 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is May 20, 2009.