United Way receives assistance

    PRESQUE ISLE – United Way of Aroostook has been notified that Aroostook County has been awarded $61,703 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. This is a decrease of $9,261 from last year’s award to Aroostook.
    The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Council of Jewish Federations, Catholic Charities USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and United Way Worldwide, which will provide the administrative staff and function as the 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 made up of United Way of Aroostook and other county organization representatives and leaders will determine how the funds awarded to Aroostook County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by service organizations in the county. The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.
    Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local governmental or private voluntary organizations chosen to receive funds must be: 1) non-profit, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice non-discrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board.
    Qualifying organizations are urged to apply by contacting the United Way of Aroostook office for an application for funding by calling (207) 764-5197. The United Way must receive applications no later than 4 p.m. Friday, March 26. Requests submitted after March 26 cannot be considered. There will be a meeting to review the funding proposals Wednesday, March 31 at 10 a.m. at the United Way of Aroostook office.
    For more information, call Claudia Stevens at the United Way of Aroostook at 764-5197.