Submitted photo 

Tift County has been chosen to receive $53,225.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. The Emergency Food and Shelter Program is a restricted federal grant designed to provide supplemental funds for agencies that provide supportive services for people in need of emergency assistance.

The selection was made by a National Board is chaired 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 USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, The Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide.

The local board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the county, according to a press release from the United Way of South-Central Georgia.

A board made up of local leaders and area organizations will determine how the funds are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds made 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 nonprofits or units of government

2. Be eligible to receive federal funds

3. Have an accounting system and conduct an annual audit

4. Have a D-U-N-S number and a Federal Employer Identification Number.

5. Have an accounting system

6. Practice nondiscrimination

7. Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs through existing programs; funds may not be used to start new programs

8. If they are a private voluntary organization, must have a voluntary board.

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for program funds must contact the United Way of South-Central Georgia, Pat McKinnon the local board administrator, (229)-382-2881 or PatMcKinnon@uway-socenga.org for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is Noon (12:00 pm) on March 31st.