Grant will benefit emergency programs

Kootenai County recently got a $74,460 federal grant to supplement emergency food and shelter programs.

A local board will decide how to award the money to local food and shelter programs. The deadline for public and private agencies to apply for the emergency food and shelter program funds is Jan. 7.

A national board overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency chose Kootenai County for the grant. The national board includes representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, council of Jewish Federations, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and United Way of America.

Kootenai County has previously given emergency food and shelter grant money to St. Vincent de Paul and United Way. These agencies have provided 10,325 meals and 21,314 nights of lodging.

For more information about the grant applications, call Dot Swanson or Jeff Conway at United Way, (208) 667-8112.