Barry County has been awarded federal funds made available through the Department Of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Emergency Food And Shelter National Board program.

Barry County has been chosen to receive $9,920 for Phase 41 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs The selection was made by a National Board chaired by FEMA and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Jewish Federations of North America, The Salvation Army; and, United Way Worldwide.

The Local Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in highneed areas around the country.

A Local Board made up of Red Cross, The Cassville Pantry, Senior Age, County Commissioners, and Crosslines will determine how the funds awarded to Barry County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.

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

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: Be private voluntary nonprofits or units of government; be eligible to receive Federal funds; have an accounting system; practice nondiscrimination; have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Barry County has distributed funds previously with Cassville Pantry, Central Community, United Methodist Church and OACAC participating.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter program funds must contact Kimberly Healey at 417847-2140 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is April 19 at 4 p.m.