LEWISTON – United Way of Androscoggin County was chosen to receive $49,905 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in Androscoggin County, it was announced Monday.

The selection was made by the National Board of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in USA and United Way of America. United Way will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent.

The FEMA board was charged with distributing funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

A local board will review how the funds awarded to Androscoggin County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations in the area.

The United Way has distributed FEMA funds previously to the Abused Women’s Advocacy Shelter, Good Shepherd Food Pantry, Trinity Jubilee Center, CCM St. Francis House, Hope Haven Gospel Mission, New Beginnings, Rural Community Action Ministry, St. Martin de Porres Residence and the Salvation Army.

Public or private organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Larry Marcoux, director of resource allocation, at 795-4000 at the United Way office for an application.

The application deadline is Jan. 23.

Organizations chosen to receive funds must be private voluntary non-profit organizations or units of government; have an accounting system; practice non-discrimination; have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and have a voluntary board of directors if it is a private voluntary organization.

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