Lenoir County has been chosen to receive $26,555 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.

The National 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 will determine how the funds awarded to Lenoir 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. 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. 

Lenoir County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Mary’s Kitchen, Safe,  The Salvation Army, Flynn’s Christian Home, ICOR, Greene Lamp, Sharon United Methodist Church, and St. Marks Community Center.

These agencies were responsible for providing 8,758 meals and 1,467  nights of lodging. Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact The Salvation Army at 252.523.5175 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is February 29, 2020.