More than 10 organizations providing food and shelter for homeless in DeKalb will receive funds handed down from the DeKalb County Board in December.

DeKalb County was awarded $33,617 to be distributed among not-for-profit organizations and governmental agencies currently providing food or shelter services within the county.

Congress appropriated $134 million under Phase IX of the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program to maintain service programs of this sort nationwide. Last year DeKalb County received $31,934 through the program.

Those funds went towards the maintenance of Public Action To Deliver Shelter, 316 N. Sixth St., as well as stocking the shelves of area food pantries.

The new funds will be used for more of the same, said Deborah Conn of the DeKalb County Board office.

Other agencies who are currently providing, or who are able to provide food or shelter services within DeKalb County might also be eligible to receive a share of the money.

Eligible agencies must conduct annual audits and have a voluntary board. Agencies also must have approvable accounting systems or be represented by a fiscal agent.

“Service organizations that have received a share of the funds in the past will most likely stay on the program,” Conn said. Those agencies include the DeKalb County Homeless Shelter (formerly PADS), Feed Our Older DeKalb, the Salvation Army and several food pantries.

The DeKalb County Board is also looking for representatives from area service agencies to serve on a local board responsible for making decisions on the distribution of funds, legal matters and various other service-oriented concerns.

There are currently nine members serving on the board.

The local board will meet on Dec. 19 to divide the funding package between all eligible organizations. Agencies that are interested in receiving funds should contact the DeKalb County Board office by Dec. 17.