NMI Local Board gets $98K grant for emergency food, shelter programs

The CNMI Local Board has received federal funding worth $98,455 under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

Local Board chair Dave Rosario said the board has been chosen to receive the funding to supplement the Commonwealth’s emergency food and shelter programs.

Rosario said the selection was made by the National Board chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that consists of representatives from the Salvation Army; American Red Cross; United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; and, United Way of America.

He said the Local Board was assigned to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help improve the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

The Office of the Mayor of Saipan, Division of Youth Services, DCCA, Karidat-NMI Catholic Social Services, American Red Cross, Carolinian Affairs Office, and the Social Services Unit of the Department of Public Health comprise the CNMI Local Board.

An official of the Saipan Mayor’s Office said these groups would determine the utilization of the funds awarded to the CNMI and how it should be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local services agencies in area.

“The Local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program,” he said.

The National Board selected the CNMI under the terms of the grant that local agencies chosen to receive funds must: be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, have an accounting system, practice nondiscrimination, have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and or shelter programs, and must have a voluntary board if they are a private voluntary organization.

The CNMI distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with the help of the Saipan Mayor’s Office, Division of Youth Services, and Karidat.

“These agencies were responsible for providing meals, nights of lodging and utility assistance,” said Rosario.

He said qualified public and private organizations are encouraged to apply for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds.

Contact Local Board chairman David B. Rosario, at the Office of the Mayor of Saipan, Afetna Square, San Antonio, or call him at 234-6208 or 234-6280 for application. The deadline for application is on Jan. 25, 2006.