County awarded federal funds

Webster County has been chosen to receive $10,052 for Phase 41 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs within the county.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Jewish Federations of North America, The Salvation Army; and, United Way Worldwide. 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 Webster County Food Pantry, Marshfield Senior Center, United Way, Red Cross, WC Emergency Management, Ministerial Alliance, Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation Webster County Neighborhood Center, Harvest Church of the Nazarene, Webster County Extension, Niangua Food Pantry and a homeless representative will determine how the funds awarded to WEBSTER 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 made 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 nonprofits 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, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Webster County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Marshfield Senior Center/Senior Age, Southern Webster County Food Pantry/Kings Pantry, Webster County OACAC Neighborhood Center and Harvest Community Church participating. These agencies were responsible for providing emergency food and shelter.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Debby Reece, 50 York Drive, Suite 8, Marshfield Mo 65706, 417-859-4589 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is April 17 by 4:30 p.m.