SKOWHEGAN — Somerset Public Health, in partnership with Redington-Fairview General Hospital, is looking for several towns or community organizations that are willing to set up Mug Up senior gathering sites from Skowhegan to Moscow, according to a news release from the hospital.

“This is a collaborative effort with communities and their citizens; the Mug Up Senior Gathering Place is a community location which is organized by and for seniors to socialize, increase knowledge/skills, and access services/support to live a healthy life in their community” said Matt L’Italien, SPH Project Director, according to the release.

RFGH will be the fiscal agent and a contributing partner to this work across the service area. SPH will be joined by other service provider organizations serving Somerset County to assist this program. Funding support will be provided by a grant from the Betterment Foundation.

Communities/organizations applying must meet the following requirements:

1. Applicants must have a fiscal agent capable of managing funds, and developing financial reports. This can be a municipal office; faith-based organization, and/or a community group having a recognized nonprofit status.

2. The fiscal agent must have liability insurance coverage for the Mug Up Gathering place coverage.

3. A written nondiscrimination policy must be in place.

4. Sites must be handicapped accessible.

5. An application must be filled out for each site, and if selected a memorandum of understanding with SPH must be signed to receive the funds. Applicants are eligible for up to $950 to support their sites work.

The application deadline applications is Friday, Oct. 21. A spring round of applications may occur if all the funds are not applied for in the fall. This is a first-come, first-served process until funds are gone. Only one application will be funded per town based on a scoring process used for the applications.

For more information, call Deb Casey at 858-8458 or email dcasey@rfgh.net. Casey will assign the site an AmeriCorps volunteer to meet with the organization or town regarding the grant requirements, answer questions and provide support in application process.