Newton County has been awarded federal funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board program.

Newton County has been chosen to receive $38,798 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in 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 Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Salvation Army; United Jewish Communities; and United Way of America. 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 representatives from county government, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Newton Senior Services, the local St. Vincent de Paul Society, Northeast Georgia Homeless Coalition, the Faith community and the United Way will determine how the funds awarded to Newton 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, local agencies chosen to receive funds must be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, be eligible to receive federal funds, have an accounting system, practice non discrimination, have demonstrated the capacity to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs and if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for ARRA Emergency Food and Shelter Programs may contact Doris Strickland, United Way, 2149 Pace St., Covington, (770) 786-7638, for an application. The deadline for completing and returning the application is May 25.