FARMINGTON — The United Way of the Tri-Valley Area recently allocated $136,100 to 16 programs offered by 15 nonprofit service organizations whose goal is to help improve people’s lives in Greater Franklin County.

Allocations to organizations, called Community Partners, are made annually and are possible because of the contributions to the United Way Community Fund.

More than $50,000 was also disbursed in the past year to support energy initiatives such as the Community Energy Challenge, volunteer programs, Venture Grant recipients, and to other United Ways and nonprofit organizations designated by the donor. United Way of the Tri-Valley Area also coordinated the disbursement of more than $21,030 in federal Emergency Food and Shelter program funding.

Tri-Valley Executive Director Lisa Laflin said, “The United Way of the Tri-Valley Area provides critical funding to area nonprofit organizations that offer immediate basic needs, such as fuel, food and shelter. These funds, including $10,000 in emergency fuel assistance allocated to the Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry’s ECU Heat program, are vital in these challenging times. UWTVA also supports long-term prevention efforts such as access to dental care and bullying and teasing prevention programs. The United Way is an essential community organization that identifies local community need and then unites resources to address those needs.”

Renee Blanchet, executive director of the Franklin County Children’s Task Force, said she appreciates the $23,000 in funding received this year from the United Way.

“Without funding from the United Way we would not be able to provide violence prevention and home visiting to over 2,500 individuals we serve. These valuable programs are recognized by the community and by our partners as vital to the success of Franklin County,” Blanchet said.

The programs that are supported this year through allocations are the American Red Cross, Community Dental, Farmington Area Ecumenical Ministry, Franklin County Children’s Task Force, Healthy Community Coalition, Literacy Volunteers, Rural Community Action Ministry, Safe Voices,  Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services, SeniorsPlus,  Tri-County Mental Health Services, United Methodist Economic Ministry, Western Maine Community Action, Western Maine Transportation and Work First, Inc.

One of 10 United Ways in Maine, United Way of the Tri-Valley Area conducts an annual fundraising campaign, raising, on average, $350,000 that is reinvested in Greater Franklin County, by supporting programs run by area 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.