Santa Cruz County has been chosen to receive $37,117 to supplement emergency food and shelter program in the county.

The selection was made by a national board chaired by the 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 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 several faith-based agencies, emergency aid agencies, and community members, will determine how the funds are to be 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 available under this phase of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local agencies chosen must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice non-discrimination, 4) have demonstrated the ability 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.

Santa Cruz County has distributed emergency food and shelter funds previously with Amado Food Bank, Borderland Food bank, Crossroads Mission, Catholic Community Services Women’s Shelter, SEACAP, Child and Family Resources and Santa Cruz Council on Aging.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying must contact local board member, Mary Ellen Keller, at (520) 761-1840 or uwscc@qwestoffice.net for an application.

The deadline for applications to be received is March 13 at 5 p.m.