Nearly $20,000 in federal funding is being awarded to Harlan County to supplement local emergency food and shelter programs.

The selection was made by a national board chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Council of Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. and United Way of America.

The board was charged with distributing funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the nation.

A local board made up of the Salvation Army, Committee on Aging, Community Action Agency, Catholic Charities, Christian Family Services, Appalachian Region Missions, the county judge's office and the county extension service will determine how the funds awarded to Harlan County will be distributed among the local emergency food and shelter programs.

The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.

The grant from the national board requires that local agencies chosen to receive funding must meet certain criteria. To qualify for the grant, agencies must: be private voluntary non-profits or units of government; have an accounting system; practice non-discrimination; have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and, if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board.

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply. However, individuals who need assistance cannot apply at this time, but they can contact any of the participating agencies at a later date.

Previously, Harlan County has distributed emergency food and shelter funds with the Salvation Army, Committee on Aging, Community Action Agency, Christ's Hands, Christian Family Services, Appalachian Region Missions, the county judge's office and the county extension service all participating.

Together, these agencies were responsible for providing more than 4,481 meals and 14,040 nights of lodging.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for emergency food and shelter program funds must contact local board chair, Kellie Wilson, at 573-2600, or local board secretary, Theresa Howard, at 573-4464 to apply. The deadline is Jan. 15.