Local organizations who help feed and shelter the hundreds of homeless and in-need residents of Stanislaus County may be able to receive federal funding through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

The Stanislaus County Emergency Food and Shelter Program Local Board will open the competitive application process for Phase 34 funding of $395,322, which has been awarded by the National EFSP Board. Funding consideration will be made available to local organizations with an existing emergency food and shelter program.

Last year, the program allocated $392,124 to 18 different organizations throughout Stanislaus County, including: $28,000 to the United Samaritans Foundation, $10,000 to the We Care Program of Turlock, $6,910 to the Children’s Crisis Center and $22,614 to Haven Women’s Center, among others.

EFSP is a nationwide program chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and funded through the Department of Homeland Security. The Stanislaus EFSP Board follows National Board guidelines that require representation from Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Congregation Beth Shalom, The Ministerial Association and United Way. Additional representation includes the City of Modesto, City of Turlock, 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 supplement 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.

A mandatory application workshop will be held at 9:30 a.m. March 31 at the United Way of Stanislaus County, 422 McHenry Ave., Modesto. Workshop RSVP required by March 24. Deadline to submit a completed EFSP application is 4 p.m. April 20. For more information or to RSVP for the workshop by March 24, contact Rebecca Ciszek, EFSP Board Administrator at: rlciszek@comcast.net.