CHESHIRE — Gallia and Meigs Community Action Agency has been awarded federal funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) for the Emergency Food & Shelter National Board Program.

The program will begin as soon as funds are made available, probably June, according to the news release.

Gallia-Meigs CAA was chosen to receive an additional $20,025 ($10,028 Gallia, $9,997 Meigs) to targeted emergency needs in the area, largely brought about by the economy and unemployment.

The selection was made by a National Board made up of affiliates of national voluntary organizations and chaired by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The 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 Gallia and Meigs County citizens will determine how the funds awarded to the counties are to 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 made available through ARRA.

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 and conduct an annual audit; 4) practice non-discrimination; 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, they should have a voluntary board.

Those interested in applying for ARRA EFSP funds must contact Sandra Edwards, Community Services Division Director, Gallia-Meigs Community Action Agency at 367-7341 or 992-6629.

Gallia and Meigs Counties have distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with the Gallia-Meigs Community Action Agency and the Gallia County Council on Aging participating. These agencies were responsible for providing numerous meals and utility assistance.