DALTON, Ga. -- Area nonprofit agencies that provide shelter and food services are getting a chunk of supplemental funding that includes $82,000 for Whitfield County.
Margaret Zeisig, director of community solutions for United Way of Northwest Georgia, said the money was awarded by the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.
Congress sets aside money each year for programs that help with food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs. Money is awarded to communities based on need, according to a news release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, leader of the national board.
"Our community's intent with these funds is to keep people from becoming homeless," Ms. Zeisig said. "There (are) so many people that are losing their homes because they can't pay their mortgage."
The Salvation Army is among several organizations that has received money through the program.
GEORGIA PROGRAM FUNDS2010 allocations from the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program for North Georgia counties are:$82,601 Whitfield$77,973 Bartow$49,786 Walker$46,760 Gordon$37,177 Murray$21,155 Chattooga$19,612 Gilmer$16,007 Fannin$6,353,673 Georgia totalSources: www.efsp.unitedway.org, www.fema.govHOW TO APPLYCall Margaret Zeisig at United Way of Northwest Georgia at 706-876-1599 or e-mail margaret.zeisig@ourunitedway.com. Application deadline is 5 p.m. on Feb. 18.
Patricia Thompson, event coordinator for the Salvation Army, said the organization relies on the money to supplement donations. She said this year the Army probably will apply for help with rent and mortgage assistance programs. The Salvation Army will pay one month's rent or utilities for people
who qualify and until funds run out, she said.
These days there's never enough money to meet the need, Ms. Thompson said. In 2009, 1,336 families requested financial assistance and the Army was able to help only 471, she said.
Local nonprofit agencies that want a share of the funds are asked to submit applications by Feb. 18. A local board representing nonprofit agencies and government will meet Feb. 23 to decide how to disburse the funds.
Board member Kathy Thornton, financial and operations coordinator for the Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center, said members will try to serve as many agencies as possible.
"With the economy the way it is and the unemployment rate being so high in this area, it's essential to helping with utilities and food and just general lodging," she said.