Clearwater County awarded funds for food, shelter

Clearwater County has been awarded federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program in the amount $6,354.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

Clearwater County receives such funds on a yearly basis, but the amount has declined over the years, according to Lauri Stifanick, Clearwater County Social Services. Unemployment figures are among the criteria used to determine the amount of funds the county receives.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from the Salvation Army; American Red Cross; United Jewish Communities; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. and United Way of America which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent. The 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 country.

A local board made up of Community Action Partnership, American Red Cross, St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Orofino Ministerial Association and Salvation Army will determine how the funds awarded to Clearwater County are to be distributed among the 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 nonprofits or units of government,
• Must have an accounting system,
• Practice nondiscrimination,
• Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and
• If they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board.

Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.

Clearwater County distributed $6,343.00 Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with the participation of Community Action Partnership. This agency was responsible for providing rent assistance to 21 households, utility assistance to 28 households and food to many in need.

Any public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact: Lauri M. Stifanick, Clearwater County Social Services, P.O. Box 586, Orofino, ID, 83544 for an application by no later than Jan. 31.