Special to the Daily News

Bell County anticipates receiving funding from the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. Approximately $12,401 is expected to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the area.

The selection was made by a national board chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Council of Jewish Federations, Catholic Charities, USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A and United Way of America which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent.

The 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 will determine how the funds awarded to Bell County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations. 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 governmental or private voluntary organizations chosen to receive funds must be nonprofit, have an accounting system, practice nondiscrimination, have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board.

Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.

Bell County has distributed emergency food and shelter funds previously with Cooperative Christian Ministry, Salvation Army, Henderson Settlement and Lighthouse Ministries Safehaven Shelter.

Any organization, meeting the guidelines above, may apply for consideration for funding by mailing a request to Emergency Food and Shelter Program Local Board, PO Box 721, Middlesboro, Ky 40965.

The request should include a description of the organization and how the funds will be utilized. Requests must be received no later than Dec. 17.