PRESQUE ISLE – United Way of Aroostook has been awarded $35,028 for emergency food and shelter programs in Aroostook County. The award is an increase of $3,252 from last year’s award to The County.

A national board chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency 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 the United Way of Aroostook and other county organizations and leaders will determine how the funds will be distributed.

Any organization that wants to receive funding must be nonprofit, have an accounting system, practice nondiscrimination, have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food or shelter programs and have a voluntary board, if the organization is private and voluntary.

There will be a meeting to review funding proposals at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the United Way of Aroostook office.

Proposals for funding and a detailed budget should be sent to the United Way of Aroostook office, 480 Main St., third floor, Presque Isle 04769. Proposals must be received no later than 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23. For information, call Claudia Stevens at the United Way of Aroostook at 764-5197.