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44 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, January 19, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend December 12, 2003 County gets $121,000 to aid homeless, hungry By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune Nonprofit agencies that provide emergency food and shelter in Jackson County already are scrambling for a share of Oregon’s $2.5 million in just-released federal funds. Jackson County will receive about $121,000 of the state total for the Emergency Food and Shelter program run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Officials from FEMA, which is now under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, announced release Wednesday of $153 million to more than 2,500 cities and counties across the country. Other Oregon counties received funding ranging from a low of $6,014 in Lake County to a high of $1.1 million in Portland/Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. In its 21st year, the EFS program funnels federal money through a local board that distributes the funds. Funding levels are based on a formula of needs, said Carin Niebuhr, a Jackson County administrator who heads the program. Advertisement Allocations this year are down slightly, about 1.5 percent, from last year’s local total, said Niebuhr. It’s a vital resource, especially in a year when state and local budgets have been slashed. The FEMA funds are not used for agency administration, Niebuhr said. "It’s for the actual food and shelter service itself," she noted. That’s exactly what’s most needed, said Sharon Schreiber, director of the Interfaith Care Community. She hopes to receive $20,000 through the EFS to pay for 1,600 bed nights for homeless people. "That’s what we can get at $12.50 a night," she said. "More important, that money will help us leverage more donations to continue care." Homeless advocate John Statler of Medford estimates that more than 5,000 people lack permanent shelter in Jackson County. About 1,000 people likely are "rough sleepers," men, women and children who regularly sleep outside or in cars, Statler said. Many more are people who stay temporarily in local shelters or who move from bed to bed as family and friends allow. "There are many thousands of people in that situation," Statler said. "It’s getting worse." Reach reporter JoNel Alecciaat 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times