Special to the Daily News

Mingo County has been awarded federal funds of $7,542 to supplement emergency food and shelter program 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 American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Catholic Church, Protestant Church Organizations, United Jewish Communities, and Community Action Agency will determine how the funds awarded to Mingo 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.

In order to qualify for this grant, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) have a defined accounting system, 3) have access to fax and/or email, 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. Past recipients that have not met specified requirements will not be considered. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact David Jewell at P.O. Box 1406, Williamson, WV 25661 or (304) 235-1701 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is December 19, 2012.