Special to The Leader

Orange County has been chosen to receive a $50,000 grant to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the County.

The selection was recommended by the Texas Set-Aside Board to the National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities, USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and United Way Worldwide which will provide the administrative staff and function as the fiscal agent. The Board was charged with approval of the State Set-Aside Committee’s recommendation for helping expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high needed areas around the state.

A Local Board made up of the County Judge, United Way Executive Director, American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Friends Helping Friends, Orange Christian Services, Orange Community Action Association, and Bridge City/Orangefield Ministerial Alliance will determine how the awarded funds will 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.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local organizations chosen to receive funds must 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government; 2) have an account system; 3) practice non-discrimination; 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and 5) if they are a private organization, they must have a voluntary board.

Applications can be obtained from United Way of Orange County office.

The deadline for applications to be submitted is Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at United Way of Orange County located at 1506 W. Park Ave in Orange.