CAPC will get more funding
The Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County Inc. has been given its second Federal Emergency Management Agency funds surprise this year.
The agency, which administers FEMA funds for local agencies, was given notice earlier this month that it will yet again receive extra FEMA dollars, this time to the tune of $4,893.
That brings the total amount of funds for local emergency food and shelter programs to $127,421.
"We didn't expect it, and although it's not a lot, it's certainly welcome," said Melinda M. Gault, director of CAPC. "It was totally out of the blue."
The agency's first surprise came in May, when officials learned local agencies would split $36,296 in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The initial FEMA award announcement came in March, when it was announced that the CAPC would receive $86,232, which is $26,996 more than last year's amount of $59,236.
The deadline for agencies to apply for the $4,893 in FEMA funds is Friday. Public or private agencies interested in applying for the $4,893 should contact Tammy S. Kitto, local FEMA board chairwoman, via e-mail at tkitto@capcjc.org.
The local FEMA board, which is made up of representatives from county government, United Way of Northern New York and CAPC, among other agencies, will vote on spending the week of July 20.
Ms. Gault said the money should be in the hands of local agencies within six weeks. A large chunk of the most recent FEMA funds could go toward utility assistance, because the need for that is up, she said.
"I think it's due to National Grid issuing shut-off notices" Ms. Gault said. "It's from people behind on bills from high winter costs. They've had to choose between which bill to pay."
Another increased need is rent assistance. The agency's emergency rent assistance program is a last resort for people who have had a denial from the Jefferson County Department of Social Services.
"People are looking for rent to prevent eviction," Ms. Gault said.
Of the original $36,296 in extra funds, $10,000 was given to the Salvation Army for its soup kitchen, $9,000 was divided among 15 smaller food pantries in Jefferson County and $12,500 went to the Watertown Urban Mission food pantry.
The Community Action Planning Council received $4,196 for rent assistance, utility assistance and administrative costs.
Ms. Gault said she doubts there will be any more funding surprises this year.
"I don't think there will be, but then again, we didn't think there'd be any more money after (the first time)," she said. "We're not expecting any, but it'd always be nice."
