Dougherty given additional federal funds

ALBANY — Dougherty County has received $52,445 in federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP). These funds have been awarded to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in Dougherty County.

“The amount of funding available to Dougherty County agencies through this phase shows an increase of close to 13 percent from the last funding cycle,” according to LaKisha Bryant Bruce, president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Georgia. “We know the needs have increased for food and shelter programs so we are encouraged that our Emergency Food and Shelter Program partners will have more funds available to them as they work to relieve hunger and homelessness in our community.”

United Way of Southwest Georgia is the distribution entity and steward of these funds in a seven county region, which includes Dougherty County, as well as Baker, Crisp, Lee, Mitchell, Terrell, and Worth counties.

A local board made up of Dougherty County residents will determine how the funds are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: be private voluntary non-profits or units of government; be eligible to receive Federal funds; 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 agencies are urged to apply. Application for this funding must be from organizations, not individuals.

In previous years, the Dougherty County Emergency Food and Shelter Program local board has distributed funds to such agencies as The Salvation Army; St. Clare’s Community Center; SOWEGA Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels; Liberty House of Albany; Neighbors in Need; Open Arms, The Bridge; Faith Community Outreach Center; House of Mercy Community Outreach Center; and Second Harvest of South Georgia, Albany Branch. With EFSP funds during the last allocations cycle, these agencies were responsible for providing more than 1,000 nights of lodging; 8,500 served meals; and 1,800 food boxes to those in need in Dougherty County.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds for this cycle of funding should contact the Emergency Food and Shelter Program coordinator at the United Way of Southwest Georgia, (229) 883-6700 extension 29, to receive an application packet. Completed funding applications must be returned to United Way by close of business (5 p.m.) April 30.