Troup County has been chosen to receive $35,413 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 (FEMA) 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 which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent. The 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 United Way of West Georgia; LaGrange Personal Aid; Community Action for Improvement; American Red Cross; Salvation Army; Churches; and other local volunteers will determine how the funds awarded to Troup County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations 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 organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.

Troup County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously Community Action for Improvement, LaGrange Personal Aid and the Salvation Army participating. Last year these agencies were responsible for providing $11,436 in food assistance, $11,436 in housing assistance and $11,435 in utility assistance. These figures include a supplemental round of funding through last year’s stimulus program.

Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must pick up an application, Dec. 5 – 11, at the Troup County Government Building in the Board of Commissioners Office located at 100 Ridley Avenue. The deadline for submitting applications back to the county office is Tuesday, December 11, 2012 by 5:00 p.m. If questions, please contact Richard English, Local Board Chairman, at the county office (706)883-1610.