The National Board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program has awarded $3,425 to Freeborn County. The federal funds are awarded through the Department of Homeland Security and used to provide emergency food and shelter to people in need of them.

The local board is made up of the local food shelf, churches, Semcac, social services, the Salvation Army and other interested organizations. The local board determines how the funds are to be distributed among emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations in the area. Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local government or private voluntary organizations chosen to receive funds must be nonprofit, have a checking account and accounting system, practice nondiscrimination and have demonstrated the capacity to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, among others.

For more information about the emergency food and shelter program and how to apply for funding, contact Linda Lares at 507-373-1329 or Semcac, 2202 Stevens St. in Albert Lea.