McClain, Canadian and Oklahoma counties have been chosen to be awarded $278,895 in total to supplement emergency food and shelter programs through the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

A Local Board consisting of local government and nonprofit representatives will determine how the funds are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.

The agencies chosen to receive funds must be private voluntary nonprofits or units of government, be eligible to receive Federal funds, have an accounting system, practice nondiscrimination, have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds may download and review the application online or contact Mary Cornelsen at United Way of Central Oklahoma, by telephone at (405) 523-3512 or by email: mcornelsen@unitedwayokc.org for an application.

The deadline for applications to be received is March 13th, 2015.