The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was established in 1983 through legislation and later authorized under the McKinney-Vento Act of 1987 to supplement and expand the ongoing work of local social service organizations, both non-profit and governmental, to provide shelter, food, and supportive services to individuals and families who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness or hunger. That legislation created a National Board, chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that consisted 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.
EFSP funding is appropriated annually and through specially authorized legislation like the CARES and American Rescue Plan Act to the EFSP's National Board that is then given out to local county boards. Annually appropriated funding is open to all organizations helping hungry and homeless people, as well as organizations that support those at risk of becoming hungry or homeless due to economic hardships.
Organizations that receive funding can use it for programs that provide food, housing, rent or mortgage assistance and utility assistance. Please contact Hannah Crowl at hannah@uwfh.org for more information about EFSP and funding applications for Lyon County, KS.