AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine — United Way of Aroostook has been selected to administer a $32,774 grant from the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program that will provide additional resources to local organizations that meet these basic needs.
United Way will provide the administrative support for EFSP’s fund distribution through a local board of community volunteers, which makes disbursement decisions among local emergency food and shelter programs that apply for funds.
This funding will supplement emergency food and shelter programs in The County for expenses incurred from Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2019. The funds are earmarked to provide special emergency assistance with food, shelter, rent/mortgage or utility assistance.
EFSP funds provide assistance over and above those services already provided by area agencies through their annual budgets.
“These funds provide additional resources to applicant organizations to meet the increased requests for basic need services,” said Sherry Locke, United Way executive director. “With the support of the local EFSP board, we can ensure that these funds are put to good and immediate use in our community.”
To be eligible for funds, an organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or governmental organization, have an accounting system, practice nondiscrimination, and have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs in Aroostook County. If it is a private voluntary organization, it must have a voluntary board
On a federal level, the distribution decisions are made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency 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.
United Way Worldwide provides the administrative staff and functions as fiscal agent. The National Board is charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.
Request applications by calling the United Way Office at 764-5197 or visiting unitedwayofaroostook.org to view the application. One completed hard-copy must be received in the office and one digital copy emailed to sherry@unitedwayaroostook.org by noon on Tuesday, July 16, 2019.
United Way’s Volunteer Task Force will make funding distribution decisions on Wednesday, July 24, at 8:30 a.m. at Presque Isle City Hall. Anyone interested in serving on this task force should contact United Way of Aroostook.
