FARMINGTON — A challenge to raise funds for emergency fuel assistance has met its goal.

In mid-September, the Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund challenged churches and communities in Franklin County to raise a total of $7,500 to equal the amount already received from the Sandy River Charitable Foundation to help meet fuel assistance needs for October and November.

As of Nov. 1, the goal was met and the current balance in the heating fund is $24,586.05. That’s enough to provide 150 families with 50-gallon emergency fuel deliveries, the Rev. Susan Crane, coordinator for the fund, said.

A total of $2,099 came from churches throughout Franklin County. Individual donors provided $2,410 in tax-deductible contributions. Two service organizations supplied a total of $452.15. The fund received contributions from the Farmington Rotary Club and the Sustainable Campus Coalition at the University of Maine at Farmington.

The largest amount collected for the challenge goal was $2,542.05 in memorial gifts for Katherine Coffin Mills. Mills’ family is designating their mother’s memorial gifts to this purpose, Crane said.

“The loving care of Katherine Coffin Mills will be felt in many homes throughout Franklin County in the weeks to come. Every gift, from every source, will truly make a difference for our neighbors in need as the temperatures continue to drop,” she said.

Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund is one of four ministries operated by the Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry.

While the immediate community heating challenge goal has been met, the needs for fuel assistance continue to be phoned to Western Maine Community Action at 645-3764, ext. 5523. People will continue to need fuel assistance throughout the winter months and into the early spring.

Donations are accepted year-round at ECU HEAT, P.O. Box 147, Farmington, ME 04938. Gifts are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged.