LEWISTON – United Way of Androscoggin County was chosen to receive $61,516 from the Emergency Food and Shelter National Program.

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, which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent.

The board was charged to distribute 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.

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

The United Way distributed emergency funds in 2007 to Abused Women’s Advocacy Project, High Street Food Pantry, L/A Area Development Corp., Sisters of Charity 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 funds must download application and instructions from the United Way Web site: www.unitedwayandro.org.

For more information, contact Larry Marcoux, Community Impact, 795-4000 at the United Way office. The application deadline is Friday, March 21. Award decisions will be made based on availability of funds.