RENO — On Wednesday, the Reno City Council accepted a $20,000 donation from the Children of Light Foundation to support program operations at the Community Assistance Center (CAC), the area’s homeless shelter.

The funding will be used next year for a part-time AmeriCorps member to staff the CAC, to purchase bus vouchers from the Regional Transportation Commission for clients and to provide motel vouchers for families waiting to enter the family shelter.

The city works with Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada, which provides intake, screening and short-term housing for families in need. Based on past data, $10,000 will support this service for the coming year.

On June 9, the Reno City Council approved the renewal of the cooperative agreement between the cities of Reno and Sparks and Washoe County for fiscal year 2010-11 operations of the CAC. The agreement identifies the city of Reno as the lead entity responsible for contracting with service providers for the CAC as well as pursuing grant opportunities in support of CAC programs.