The Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) has awarded a $107,776.00 grant to assist local nonprofit charities to expand crisis shelter and food programs that help the poor and homeless in Porter County. 
The state set-aside committee has selected this jurisdiction to receive an award under Phase 28 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Congress has appropriated $200 million to supplement and extend emergency food and shelter programs.
Representatives from around the county comprise a local FEMA board which will decide how the funds will be distributed. The United Way of Porter County has been selected to act as a fiscal agent and provide staff support.
A public meeting has been set for Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 10:00 am at the United Way of Porter County office located at 951 Eastport Centre Drive in Valparaiso. All organizations providing or capable of providing emergency food and shelter are urged to apply. According to the chairman of the local FEMA board, Madge Whickcar, the funding will be used to target special economic emergency needs, not those disaster-related.
Under terms of the grant from the national FEMA board, local governmental or private voluntary organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) be a nonprofit; 2) have an accounting system and conduct an annual audit; 3) practice nondiscrimination; 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and 5) have a voluntary board.
In 2009, $44,090.00 was distributed to local emergency food and shelter programs throughout Porter County. Further information is available by contacting Madge Whickcar of United Way of Porter County at (219) 464-3583.