Norton awarded money for emergency food, shelter programs

June 04, 2020

The City of Norton has been awarded a total of $5,600 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

The city will receive $2,800 under Phase 37 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and an additional $2,800 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The selection was made by a national board chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Members represent the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Council of Jewish Federations, Catholic Charities, USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and United Way of America, which will provide administrative staff and function as fiscal agent. The board is charged to distribute federal funding to expand food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

A local board consisting of civic leaders, service providers and clergy will determine how funds awarded to Wise County will be distributed among local emergency food and shelter programs. The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this program phase.

Under terms of the grant from the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program, local governmental or private voluntary organizations chosen to receive funds must: be non-profit; have an accounting system and conduct an annual audit; practice non-discrimination; and have demonstrated the ability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs. A private voluntary organization must also have a voluntary board. Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.

The City of Norton has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc, The Advocacy Center, Family Crisis Support Services, and Wise County Food Bank participating.
To make a funding request or for more information, contact Stephanie Sprinkle with MEOC at 276/523-4202 or P.O. Box 888, Big Stone Gap, Va. 24219 before June 18, 2020.