Ozark County received $6,518 for emergency food and shelter

Ozark County has been awarded $6,518 in federal funds to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county through the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board program. 

A local board made up of several volunteer members of the community will determine how the funds awarded to (District 15) Ozark County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.

The selection was made by a national board chaired by FEMA that consists of representatives from the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, and the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, the Jewish Federations of North America, the Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide. The board was charged with distributing funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

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 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.

Ozark County has distributed emergency food and shelter funds previously through Ozark County Food Pantry, Ozark County Ministerial Alliance, Ozark County Senior Center and Christos House.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for these funds must contact Rhonda Suter via email, Rhonda.Suter@lpha.mo.gov or by phone 417-679-3334, for an appointment.

The deadline for applications is 4 p.m. Monday, April 3, prior to the meeting of the FEMA board at the Ozark County Health Department office at that time.