Special to Iredell Free News

Iredell County has been awarded federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

Iredell County has been awarded $242,926 to supplement emergency food and shelter efforts in the county. The funds were awarded under Phase 39 ($59,384) and Phase ARPA-R ($183,542).

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 board made up of local citizens from various government agencies, non-profit agencies and the faith community will determine how the funds awarded to Iredell County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: l) be private voluntary non-profits 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, 7) have a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) Number, and 8) have a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply. To apply contact Liz Burns, United Way of Iredell County, 704-872-3000 or lburns@uwiredell.org. The deadline to apply is February 16, 2022.