CHESHIRE — Gallia and Meigs Community Action Agency has been chosen to receive $46,353 ($23,543 Gallia, $22,810 Meigs) to supplement targeted emergency programs in the area, beginning in the Spring 2009.

The selection was made by the National Board made up of affiliates of national voluntary organizations and chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). United Way of America will provide the administrative staff and function as the 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 around the country.

A Local Board made up of Gallia and Meigs County citizens will determine how the funds awarded to the counties are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations 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 governmental or private voluntary organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) be non-profit; 2) have an accounting system and conduct an annual audit; 3) practice non-discrimination; 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they should have a voluntary board.

Gallia and Meigs Counties have distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with the Gallia-Meigs Community Action Agency and the Gallia County Council on Aging participating. These agencies were responsible for providing numerous meals, rent and utility assistance.

Further information on the program may be obtained by contacting Sandra Edwards, Community Services Division Director, Gallia-Meigs Community Action Agency at 367-7341 or 992-6629.