Kennebec and Somerset counties have been awarded money under the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board Program.

Kennebec County has been awarded $44,637 and Somerset County, $24,753 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs.

The selection was made by a national board is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The board is charged with distribution of money appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas in Kennebec and Somerset counties.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must be private voluntary non-profit organizations or units of government; be eligible to receive federal money; practice nondiscrimination; have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food or shelter programs; and if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for EFSP money must request an application by contacting Diane Wright, local board chair at United Way of Mid-Maine, P.O. Box 91, Waterville, ME 04903 or call 873-0686.

Completed applications must be turned in to the United Way of Mid-Maine’s office by Wednesday, Sept. 12.