PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Officials in Maine have announced the distribution of more than $141,000 to nearly a dozen groups that helped Portland accommodate the influx of asylum seekers last year.

The Portland Press Herald reports the first round of funding was distributed to those that donated more than $900,000 to the city.

The 11 groups had donated the money to help offset costs of sheltering, feeding and housing nearly 450 people who arrived beginning last June after officials had scrambled to set up emergency housing for many of them.