United Way to distribute federal funds for emergency food and shelter
The United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades has announced that Lee, Hendry, and Glades human service agencies are receiving funds to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the area. Lee County agencies are receiving $507,103, Hendry County agencies are receiving $43,445 and Glades agencies are receiving $13,341.
In January 2009, a national board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ USA, and the United Way of America determined the amounts that the counties would receive.
Jo Anna Bradshaw, a United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Board Member, chairs the local allocation committee which oversees the allocations process. “These funds will be used by agencies that serve people in need of emergency food and shelter. The money comes to us at a time when the number of local citizens needing services has substantially increased because of high unemployment and serious economic problems in our community. The funds will help fill food pantries and provide shelter to the men, women and children who are hurting the most,” said Jo Anna Bradshaw, chair of the local allocation committee.
The local allocation committee, charged with distributing the funds appropriated by Congress, requested applications from agencies and determined that the following agencies would receive emergency food and shelter funds:
Lee County
* Abuse Counseling and Treatment (ACT)
* Amigos Center
* Bonita Springs Assistance
* Cape Coral Caring Center
* Catholic Charities
* Community Cooperative Ministries
* F.I.S.H. of Sanibel
* Harry Chapin Food Bank
* Interfaith Caregivers of South Lee
* Lee County Human Services
* Lee Mental Health Triage Center
* Lehigh Community Services
* Nations Association
* The Salvation Army
* St. Vincent de Paul