The United Way of Northwest Louisiana has been chosen to receive $236,535 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in Caddo, Bossier, Desoto and Natchitoches parishes.

The selection was made by a National Board chaired by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from the 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 high-need areas around the country.

The local board includes representatives from The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Catholic Social Services, United Christian Outreach, and United Way of Northwest Louisiana will determine how the funds will be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies. The 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, local agencies selected to receive funds must:

1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government,

2) be eligible to receive Federal funds,

3) have an accounting system,

4) practice nondiscrimination,

5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and

6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.

New qualifying agencies are urged to apply by visiting the United Way of Northwest Louisiana website, www.unitedwaynwla.org.  The deadline for applications to be received is August 12, 2016.