• News tips, submissions
• Questions, comments
• Contact webmaster

• Pierce County awarded $11,935 in food, shelter funds

Pierce and St. Croix counties have been awarded federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

Pierce County has been awarded $11,935 (a 10.10 percent increase over last year) and St. Croix County has been awarded $23,485 (a 15.17 percent increase over last year) to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the area.

The selection was made by a national board chaired by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and representatives from the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, United Jewish Communities, National Council of Churches of Christ, The Salvation Army and United Way of America.

The board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs around the country.

Local boards chaired by John Coughlin, executive director of United Way St. Croix Valley, will meet to determine how the funds will be distributed to programs operated by local service organizations.

Under the terms of the grant from the national board, the local governmental or voluntary organizations chosen to receive funds must:

1) be non-profit,\

2) have an accounting system

3) practice nondiscrimination

4) have demonstrated the capacity to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs

5) have a volunteer board.

Informal organizations such as food pantries not meeting these requirements may apply by using a fiscal agent. Qualifying organizations are urged to apply by the Friday, April 4, deadline.

Organizations interested in applying or needing further information on the program should contact Coughlin at 715-377-0203, ext. 102.