IRONTON — More than $308,000 in grants, allocated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, have been awarded to emergency food and shelter programs in U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson’s 6th District.

Programs within Lawrence County will receive $17,700 in assistance. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is the governmental agency releasing the funds.

It total, the state of Ohio received nearly $4.3 million in emergency food and shelter assistance as part of the grant. Funding for the grants were included as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress on Feb. 17.

Rep. Wilson said the grant arrived in Ohio’s 6th District at a crucial time.

“With families out of work, putting food on the table is tough,” Wilson said.

“Food pantries and food banks are all seeing an increase in demand and this Recovery money will help meet a lot of need in our community.”

Funds can be used for a broad range of services, including mass shelter, mass feeding, food distribution through food pantries and food banks. They can also be used for assistance with rent, mortgage and utility payments to prevent evictions, and transition assistance from shelters to stable living conditions.

A national board composed of representatives of the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; United Jewish Communities; The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Salvation Army; and United Way of America governs the program and allocation of monies.

A county-by-county breakdown of other emergency food and shelter programs in the 6th District receiving funds are Athens County, with $21,119; Belmont County, with $22,349; Columbiana County, with $43,562; Gallia County, with $10,028; Jefferson County, with $25,758; Mahoning County, with $96,838; Meigs County, with $9,997; Noble County, with $5,525; Scioto County, with $29,625; Washington County, with $20,108 and Monroe County with $5,410.