LEWISTON – United Way of Androscoggin County will receive $53,078 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in Androscoggin County.

The selection was made by the national board of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

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.

Under the terms of the grant from the national FEMA board, local organizations chosen to receive funds must be private, voluntary nonprofit organizations or units of government; must have an accounting system; must practice non-discrimination; must have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and must have a voluntary board of directors if they are private, voluntary organizations.

Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.

The United Way distributed FEMA funds in 2004 to the Abused Women’s Advocacy shelter, the Good Shepherd Food-Bank pantry, Trinity Jubilee Center, Catholic Charities Maine’s St. Francis House, Hope Haven Gospel Mission, New Beginnings, Rural Community Action Ministry, St. Martin de Porres Residence, SeniorsPlus and the Salvation Army.

The national FEMA board 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, which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent.

The 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.