Cannon County Receives Supplemental ESFP Funds

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CANNON COUNTY HAS BEEN AWARDED FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM
Cannon County has been chosen to receive $11, 215 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county under the 2010 Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program Phase XXVIII.

“These are difficult times for many and we are very glad to receive the award of $11,215 which is an increase of $1,024 over the $10,191 awarded in 2009 under Phase 27. This will provide help to families facing a job loss or seniors on a fixed income and need help to pay a month’s electric bill or buy groceries,” said Local Board Chair Connie Rigsby, Director of the Cannon County Senior Citizens Center.

The selection was made by a National Board that is 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 Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; and United Way of America, which provides the administrative staff and functions as fiscal agent. The Local Board is charged with distributing the funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

The Local Board, made up of representatives from Cannon County government, Salvation Army, United Way of Rutherford & Cannon Counties, and other Cannon County agencies will determine how the funds awarded to Cannon County are distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The Local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds made 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 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 agencies are urged to apply.

In Cannon County under Phase XXVII in 2009, $10,191 in Emergency Food and Shelter funds were distributed to Cannon County Emergency Food Bank, Cannon County Senior Citizens Center, Upper Cumberland Human Resources Agency, REACH, and Domestic Violence Program. “This funding enabled these agencies to provide 2,410 meals, 109 nights of lodging, and assistance to 46 individuals or families for utility payments,” stated Rigsby.

The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program was created in 1983 to supplement the work of local social service organizations within the United States, both private and governmental, to help people in need of emergency assistance. This year’s appropriation of $200,000,000 brings the total distributed to more than $3,500 billion over the program’s 26 year history.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact United Way of Rutherford & Cannon Counties (893-7303x106) for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is noon, Monday, February 23, 2010.
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