Special to the Enquirer

Morgan County has been awarded federal funds through the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

The county has been chosen to receive $31,589 to supplement and expand emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

Under the terms of the grant, local agencies chosen to receive funds must be private, voluntary nonprofits or units of government; must be eligible to receive federal funds; must have an accounting system; must practice nondiscrimination; must not charge fees with relation to assistance received under EFSP; must not require recipients of EFSP assistance to attend religion/counseling services; must have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; must, if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board; and must use EFSP funds to supplement services, not as seed money for new programs.

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply. Contact Kathleen Ross at United Way of Morgan County for an application at kross@uwmcal.org or pick up an application at the United Way building, 115 First Ave. NE, Decatur.

Deadline for completed applications to be returned is Feb. 2.