Any agency interested in applying for funding from the National Emergency Food and Shelter Program must attend a mandatory application workshop Nov. 5 at the Red Cross office in Modesto.

The National EFSP Board, a program funded through the Department of Homeland Security and chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has awarded the Stanislaus County Emergency Food and Shelter Program $356,679 that will be granted to local service organizations that provide emergency food and shelter programs.

For agencies to be eligible, they must: Be a private voluntary non-profits or units of government; be eligible to receive federal funds; have an accounting system; practice nondiscrimination; have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter, and; if a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. 

The workshop will begin at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Red Cross office 1230 6th St. in Modesto. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 523-6501.

The EFSP application deadline is at 4 p.m. Nov. 21. For more information on the EFSP National Program visit www.efsp.unitedway.org.