County receives stimulus funds

Grant nearly doubles county's emergency relief

Friday, June 19, 2009

The funds come in addition to the $24,101 already allocated to the county for 2009 as a part of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which began in 1983. The act, better known as President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus plan, provided an additional $100 million to the program's 2009 budget. In 26 years, the program has contributed $3.4 billion to local charities nationwide, according to the EFSP Web site.

Calvert's combined $42,542 ranks 17th in Maryland, including Baltimore city. Charles and St. Mary's counties received a combined $71,638 and $60,412, respectively.

"It allows people to be living in a stable, caring community," said Jennifer Moreland, director of community and resource development for United Way of Calvert County. "People from all different age groups should be able to live in this community. People with children that are working two jobs should be able to live in this community, so these funds enable people that are struggling in our community to be able to do that."

The program is overseen by a National Board, chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with representatives from the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., Salvation Army, United Jewish Communities and United Way of America. The National Board awards funds to qualifying jurisdictions, each of which has its own local board. Following an application process, the local boards then decide how to disperse the funds to local agencies.

Moreland said she had not received any official applications yet, but had confirmation from Project ECHO and Catholic Charities stating that they intended to request funds. Agencies that have received emergency funds in the past include Project ECHO, Catholic Charities, Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry, Calvert Churches Community Food Pantry, SMILE's Food Pantry and St. Anthony's Church-Ladies of Charity, according to a press release. The United Way of Calvert County issued $472,752 in grants in the previous fiscal year, according to the organization's 2008 990 Form.

Funds could be used for any number of things, from restocking food pantries to providing shelter and utilities assistance, Moreland said. Last year, Chesapeake Cares Food Pantry received a $1,931 United Way grant that provided 800 meals, whereas Project ECHO converted $3,260 into 120 nights of shelter. AARA funds can be used for any expenses incurred from April 1 until the end of the year.

The funds come at a time of severe need, particularly for local food pantries. The majority of food drives take place in the winter months, and by the time summer rolls around, many pantries need to have their shelves restocked, Moreland said.

"These funds are great because they prevent people from being homeless in the first place, and the kids can stay in the same school district and these folks can stay at their work," Moreland said. "It gives you those extra funds that you might need so that you can have gas in your car so that you can get to work everyday and be a functional, stable, contributing person to our society."

In order to qualify for funding, local agencies must: be private voluntary non-profits or units of government; be eligible to receive federal funds; have an accounting system; practice nondiscrimination; have shown the capability to provide emergency food and shelter programs; and, if they are a private organization, have a voluntary board, according to a press release.

jnewman@somdnews.com