County gets federal food & shelter funding

VW independent/submitted information

Van Wert County has been chosen to receive $5,925 to supplement food and shelter programs in Van Wert County. The selection was made by a national board chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and consisting of representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and United Way Worldwide, which provides the administrative staff and functions as fiscal agent.  

The local board is responsible for distributing funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high need areas around the country. The board is made up of Andy McMahon of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Jackie Teegarden of Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission, Catherine Reed of the American Red Cross, Lt. Joseph Cantrell of the Salvation Army, Jamie Evans of the YWCA of Van Wert County, Kathy Taylor of Crisis Care, community representative April Diltz, and Vicki Smith of the United Way of Van Wert County.

The local board will determine how the funds awarded to Van Wert County are distributed among emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations 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 organizations chosen to receive funds must:

• Be private voluntary non-profits or units of government
• Be eligible to receive federal funds
• Have an accounting system
• Practice non-discrimination
• Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs
• Be a private voluntary organization and have a voluntary board

Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.  Van Wert County distributed funds last year to Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission, The Salvation Army, and Crisis Care.

Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for funding must contact Vicki Smith at the United Way office for an application. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 24. For more information, contact the United Way of Van Wert County at 419.238.6689.