LEWISTON – Nine agencies in Androscoggin County have received a total of $52,016 in federal funding for emergency food and shelter programs.

The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board of the Federal Emergency and Management Agency distributed the money appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

Local organizations that will receive the FEMA awards are:

• Abused Women’s Advocacy Project, $8,132 for emergency shelter services.

• Catholic Charities Maine’s St. Francis House, $4,500 for emergency shelter services and $3,000 for mass feedings.

• Hope Haven Gospel Mission, $5,500 for emergency shelter services.

• New Beginnings, $5,100 for emergency shelter services.

• Rural Community Action Ministry, $5,584 for food banks throughout Androscoggin County.

• St. Martin de Porres Residence, $4,500 for emergency shelter services and $1,200 for mass feedings.

• Salvation Army, $3,000 for its food bank and $3,500 for utility assistance.

• Sisters of Charity Health System’s Good Shepherd Food Pantry, $5,000 for its food bank.

• Trinity Jubilee Center, $3,000 for mass feedings.

Members of a local board reviewed how the funds awarded to Androscoggin County should be distributed to local service organizations in the area.

Under the terms of the grant from the national board, selected local organizations must be private, voluntary nonprofit organizations or units of government; must have an accounting system; must practice non-discrimination; must have demonstrated the capacity to deliver emergency food or shelter programs; and must have a voluntary board of directors if a private, voluntary organization.

“United Way is pleased to serve as a facilitator in distributing these funds to local social services agencies to help families who are facing hunger and need emergency shelter services,” said Larry Marcoux, chairman of the local board responsible for fund distribution.