The Stanislaus County Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Local Board will soon be opening the competitive application process for Phase 42 funding of $318,040. Funding is awarded to eligible jurisdictions by the National EFSP Board through the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Funding consideration will be given to eligible applicants from local public or private voluntary organizations serving Stanislaus County with an existing and fully operational program. No start up programs or administrative funding is allowed under this grant.
An Emergency Food and Shelter Program mandatory Technical Workshop for Phase 42 grant applicants will be held via Zoom at 9 a.m., on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. RSVP is required by Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, to participate. Deadline to submit a completed EFSP application is Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, by 4 p.m.
For more information or to RSVP for the mandatory workshop by Jan. 17, contact Rebecca Ciszek, EFSP Board Administrator at rlciszek@comcast.net
Last year, in Phase 41 of the program, local organizations receiving funds included Riverbank Christian Food Sharing, $15,000 and Community Sharing Christian Center of Oakdale, $15,000. Other funds went to such diverse groups as Food Initiative of Greater Stanislaus, Children’s Crisis Center, Salvation Army Modesto Corps and Center for Human Services.
Nationally, $117 million has been made available under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024. The Stanislaus EFSP Local Board follows National Board guidelines that require representation from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Congregation Beth Shalom, The Ministerial Association, Salvation Army, and United Way. Additional representation includes local government, homeless services, community-based organizations, and citizens. The Local Board is also responsible for monitoring funded programs, including any additional funds made available under a current program phase. In accordance with National EFSP guidelines, the local EFSP Board will review eligible organizational applicants and consider funding recommendations to expand their existing emergency food and shelter programs.
To be eligible under terms of the National EFSP Board, local applying agencies must meet the basic requirements of: 1) be a private voluntary non-profit or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have a program in current operation (no-start-ups) with demonstrated capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter services, 6) if awarded, operate program with funds received retroactively for services provided, and 7) if a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.
For more information on the EFSP National Program visit www.efsp.unitedway.org.
