The federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) has awarded Phase 40 funds to Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc counties totaling $38,658. Each county received $12,886. EFSP funds are federal funds made available through the U. S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Applications are also open for Phase 39 and Phase ARPA-R funds to Knox County totaling $34,802. Knox County Phase 39 totals $8,511 and Knox County Phase ARPA-R totals $26,291.  

Local emergency food and shelter programs may request funding by submitting applications by July 19 at 11 a.m. Qualifying agencies who provide food, meals, shelter, rent, heating, or utility assistance are urged to apply. Local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1.) be private, voluntary non-profits or units of government; 2.) be eligible to receive federal funds; 3.) have an accounting system; 4.) practice nondiscrimination; 5.) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and 6.) if they are a private voluntary organization, they have a volunteer board. 

A local board made up of community and local agency representatives in each county will review and approve the applications. The local boards in all three counties are convened by the United Way of Mid Coast Maine. Applications are available on United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s website, www.uwmcm.org/efsp, or by contacting Doreen Fournier at doreenf@uwmcm.org or 207-295-6398.