Jan. 7, 2003 – The Virgin Islands has been chosen to receive $197,540 to supplement the territory's emergency food and shelter programs.
The selection was made by a national board made up of affiliates of national voluntary organizations and chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). United Way of America will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent, according to a release from Thyra Hammond, executive director of the St. Thomas-St. John United Way office. The board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas.
A local board made up of representatives of the Salvation Army, United Way, American Red Cross, Catholic Charities and members representing St. Croix and the local government will determine how the funds awarded to the Virgin Islands are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations in the area. The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.
Under the terms of this grant from the national board, local governmental or private voluntary agencies chosen to receive funds must:
— be non-profit and have a voluntary board if applicant is a private voluntary organization;
— have an accounting system;
— practice nondiscrimination; and
— have demonstrated the capability to deliver food and/or shelter programs.
On St. Thomas, applications may be picked up at the United Way office at Nisky Center, Suite 220. On St. Croix, applications may be picked up at the Lutheran Social Services office on Hospital Street, Frederiksted. The deadline for applying is January 17, 2003.
For further information, call the United Way office at 774-3185.
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