Big Award for United Way of Northwest Louisiana

The United Way of Northwest Louisiana gets some big bucks.

It's been chosen to receive $236,535 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto and Natchitoches Parishes.

According to a news release, the selection was made by a national board chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency. The board is made up of representatives from numerous agencies, including the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA and The Salvation Army.

The local board is in charge of distributing funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. It will decide how the funds will be doled out to non-profits in our region.

There are numerous criteria for local agencies to be selected. They must:

• Be 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 and/or shelter programs
• Have a voluntary board, if they are private voluntary organizations

New qualifying agencies can apply for funds on the United Way of Northwest Louisiana website. The application deadline is August 12.