Huron County receives grant funds

Huron County has been chosen to receive $28,018 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security & Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from the following organizations: American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Jewish Federations of North America; The Salvation Army; and United Way Worldwide. 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 Norwalk Area United Fund, The Salvation Army, The Norwalk Area Food Bank, Bellevue Fish and Loaves; The Willard Area Food Bank, The Red Cross, Huron County Jobs and Family Services and The Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron and Richland Counties will determine how the funds awarded to Huron County 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 made available under this phase of the program. The board distributes it through different agencies. "These funds are important to help fight the problems with increased rent and the affordability of rent and utilities in our county," said Dave Smith of the Community Action Commission. Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply. Huron County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with The Salvation Army, Norwalk Area Food Bank, Bellevue Fish and Loaves, Catholic Charities, and The Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron and Richland Counties participating. These agencies were responsible for providing food, utility and rental assistance to numerous families in Huron County. From 2020-2022, the last reported period, 4,531 hot meals were provided, 142 families had assistance with rent, 111 famillies were assisted with utility bills, and 8 homeless individuals were assisted with hotel stays. Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Dave Harris, Local Board Chair, for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is April 22, 2024. CACEHR ℅ Dave Harris, 92 N Prospect, Norwalk OH 44857. Contact email is dharris@cacehr.org. Contact phone number is 419-668-9823.