FARMINGTON — The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), administered nationally by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). is designed to supplement and expand efforts to provide shelter, food and supportive services for the nation’s hungry, homeless and people in economic crisis.

On behalf of Franklin County, the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area (UWTVA) convenes the local EFSP board, which determines the allocation of the money to area organizations who meet criteria of the program.

Past recipients include Clearwater Ministries, United Methodist Economic Ministry, Wilton Area Food Pantry, SeniorsPlus, Tri-Town Ministerial Association, Care and Share Food Closet, Stratton/Eustis Food Pantry, Safe Voices, Phillips Area Food Pantry and the town of Carthage.

Call the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area at 778-5048 for application details. Application materials are also available online at www.uwtva.org. Deadline for applications is March 31.

The status of funding for fiscal year 2011 is still undetermined due to federal budget negotiations. However, local boards are encouraged to begin the application process so funding will be allotted when it becomes available.