Rowan County has been awarded federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

The $57,134 is intended 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’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from 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. A local board is charged to distribute funds.

The local board is made up of representatives from county government, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Catholic community, the Protestant community, the Jewish community, United Way and a homeless advocate.

Under the terms of the grant, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: be private, voluntary nonprofits 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, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.  

Rowan County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter Funds previously with The Salvation Army, Rowan Helping Ministries, Family Crisis Council and Capstone Recovery participating.  These agencies were responsible for providing 1,473 meals and 4,179 nights of lodging. They also assisted with 30 rent/mortgage bills and 37 utility bills.

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was also appropriated supplemental funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Rowan County has been chosen to receive $81,456 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county due to the impact of COVID-19 on the community.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds or CARES funds must contact the Rowan County United Way office, financedirector@rcunitedway.org, for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is 5 p.m., Friday.