Covington County has been awarded more than $19,000 to help supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

Organized Community Action Program Director Elizabeth Seay said Wednesday that federal funds were made available through the Department of Homeland Security/ Federal Emergency Management Agency under the emergency food and shelter national board program.

That’s an increase from the $18,116 the county received in 2016. The number was $13,062 in 2013.

The county will receive $19,653 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county, she said.

“The local board will determine how the funds awarded to Covington County are to be distributed among the EF&S programs run by local service agencies in the area,” Seay said. “The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds made available under this program.”

To be eligible to receive the grant, agencies must:

• Be a 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/or shelter programs;
• If they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.

Seay said that qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for funds must apply in writing to Elizabeth Seay, 23952 Highway 55 Bypass, Andalusia AL 36420.

Deadline for letters of intent is July 7, 2017.