Emergency assistance offering food, shelter, and hope
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) was created in 1983 to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people throughout the United States and its territories by allocating federal funds for the provision of food and shelter.
The program is governed by a National Board composed of representatives of the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; The Jewish Federations of North America; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Salvation Army; and United Way Worldwide. The Board is chaired by a representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Program funds are used to provide:
Food, in the form of served meals or groceries.
Lodging in a mass shelter or hotel.
Rental or mortgage assistance to prevent evictions.
Utility payment to prevent service cut-offs.
Transportation costs associated with the provision of food or shelter.
Supplies and equipment necessary to feed or shelter people.
Eligibility & Requirements
Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local organizations chosen to receive funds must:
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Be a non-profit
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Have an accounting system and conduct an annual audit
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Practice nondiscrimination
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Have demonstrated the capability to operate emergency food and/or shelter programs
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If they are a private volunteer organization, they must have a volunteer board
For more information about the Emergency Food and Shelter Board Program please visit http://www.efsp.unitedway.org/.
EFSP Guiding Principles
Fiscal administration, reporting and procedural guidance to Local Boards and LROs
Good steward of taxpayers’ dollars through reasonable oversight and transparency
Prioritize the allocation of supplemental funds to the neediest areas in the nation
Promote and strengthen collaboration between non-profit organizations and public sector
Maximizing appropriate local decision-making through clear guidance and training
National Partners
