The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program notified Douglas County officials that $53,267 is available for mass shelter, mass feeding and food distribution through food pantries and food banks.

The funds also can be used to make one-month utility payments to prevent service cut-offs and one-month rent or mortgage assistance to prevent evictions or to assist people in shelters establish stable living conditions.

A local emergency food and shelter board, chaired by Pam Madl, will take and review applications from social service agencies seeking the funds. The applications will detail how the agencies will use the money.

Agencies engaged in providing services to the homeless and hungry and wishing to participate in the new funding cycle should call 832-5358 for an application. Completed applications should reach Madl’s office in the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass., by 5 p.m. Jan. 31.