Cape Girardeau FEMA applications due March 5

Cape Girardeau County will receive $34,497 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the area for 2007.

The selection was made by a national board chaired by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA 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 from local emergency service providers, the United Way of Southeast Missouri, Community Caring Council, St. Vincent's Church, County Commissioners office and community at large will determine how the funds awarded to Cape Girardeau County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations. 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 be private voluntary not-for-profits or units of government, 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.

Cape Girardeau County has distributed emergency food and shelter funds previously to East Missouri Action Agency, FISH, Jackson Food Pantry, Jackson Ministerial Alliance, Safe House for Women and the Salvation Army. These agencies were responsible for providing more than 767 nights of lodging and utility assistance to 6 families, rental assistance to 28 families and food to 2,100 people in the past year with this funding.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Programs funding must contact the United Way of Southeast Missouri prior to March 5 at 334-9634.