Emergency grants available to local qualifying agencies

MAT-SU — The Matanuska-Susitna Borough has been awarded $57,842 in Federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

These funds will be distributed by a local board and are used to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food and supportive services for the Mat-Su’s hungry, homeless and people in economic crisis. The award amount is based on the average number of unemployed individuals in the area, the total number of individuals below the poverty line and the jurisdiction’s total population.

The selection was made by a national board 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 USA and United Way Worldwide. The local board is charged to distribute 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 made up of representatives from United Way of Mat-Su, the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, Alaska Family Services, Veterans Association, the Jewish Federation, local churches and local government. This board will determine how the funds will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by service agencies in the Mat-Su Borough.

Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must:

• be private voluntary non-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, must have a voluntary board.

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Emergency Food and Shelter funds were awarded to several agencies last year. These agencies can be found by calling 2-1-1, visiting alaska211.org or by calling the United Way of Mat-Su.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Stephanie Allen, United Way of Mat-Su, 124 W. Swanson Ave., Suite C, Wasilla, AK 99654, by phone at 373-5821, or e-mail sallen@unitedwaymatsu.org for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is 5 p.m. May 6.