Catoosa County has been chosen to receive $8.669 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency 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. 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 country.

A Local Board made up of representatives of The Catoosa County Department of Family and Children Services, United Way 211, The Salvation Army, The American Red Cross, Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, The Catoosa County Children’s Fund, and an appointee to represent the local county government will determine how the funds awarded to Catoosa 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-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.

Catoosa County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with The Salvation Army, and The Catoosa County Department of Family and Children’s Services and The Catoosa County Children’s Fund.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Programs funds must contact the office of Jane Frye, Catoosa County Government, 800 LaFayette Street, Ringgold, GA 30736 for an application or call 706-965-2500. The deadline for applications to be received is Jan. 3, 2013.