Emergency Food and Shelter Program Gets Additional $20K in 2020

Representatives of shelters, senior centers, and food pantries in Howell County convened on May 28 to determine the distribution of annual funding awards. The Emergency Food and Shelter Program is funded by the United Way and yearly awards are determined by a national board. This year, however, participating agencies had the opportunity to request a portion of additional funding from the CARES Act. 

As such, representatives from the Mountain View, Willow Springs, and West Plains Senior Centers, Christos House, Agape House, and the FEED program met in West Plains to determine the distribution of funds. 

Last year, the United Way contributed $14,166 to the agencies who applied. This year, the award amount is $14,712. The committee determined the funds should be allocated as follows:

-Christos House and Agape House will receive $3,089.52 each.

-Willow Springs, Mountain View, and West Plains Senior Centers will receive $1,878.74 each.

-FEED will receive $2,896.74.

The CARES funding is a total award of $20,975 to split among the applying agencies. Using the same formula of division:

-Christos House and Agape House will receive $4,404.75

-Willow Springs, Mountain View, and West Plains Senior Centers will receive $3,041.37

-FEED will receive $3,041.37

The shelters are expected to use the funding to provide bed nights; the senior centers are to use the funds for meals, and FEED will of course use the funding to purchase foodstuffs for the population they serve.