Johnson County has been awarded $10,187 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. The funds were made available through the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

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 American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army, The Jewish Federations of North America, and United Way Worldwide.

A local board is charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas throughout the county. The local board comprises representatives from the county judge-executive’s office, the Paintsville mayor’s office, The Salvation Army, United Way, American Red Cross, Big Sandy Area Community Action Program, and others to determine how the funds awarded to Johnson County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the county. 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 the grant from the national board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must:

  • be private voluntary non-profits 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, they must have a voluntary board

Johnson County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with The Salvation Army, Highlands Community Food Basket, and the First Church of God.

Qualifying public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter funds must contact James Michael Howell, Executive Director, Big Sandy Area Community Action Program, 230 Court Street, Paintsville, KY 41240,  by phone at (606) 789-3641 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is Friday, August 12, at 4:30 p.m.