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Emergency Food and Shelter Program funding workshop upcoming
emergecny food pic
The United Samaritan's Foundation feeds more than 1,500 people a day through its daily food trucks and food boxes. - photo by Journal file photo

Local agencies hoping to receive funds through the Stanislaus County Emergency Food and Shelter Program must attend a mandatory workshop set for Friday.

The Stanislaus County Emergency Food and Shelter Program Local Board will begin the application process for Phase 33 funding to be awarded by the National EFSP Board, a program funded through the Department of Homeland Security and chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency .

While funding is unknown at this time, Stanislaus County emergency food and shelter agencies received $399,010 during Phase 32, including $25,000 for United Samaritans, $21,000 for the Turlock Salvation Army Corp and $12,000 for the We Care Program,  a cold weather shelter for homeless men in Turlock.

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 City of Modesto, City of Turlock, homeless services, community-based organizations and local citizens. Through a competitive application process, the Stanislaus EFSP Board will review and make funding recommendations to local service organizations that provide emergency food and shelter programs that meet National EFSP requirements. The Local Board is responsible for monitoring funded programs, including any additional funds made available under the current program phase.

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-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter, and 6) 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. Friday at the United Way of Stanislaus County, 422 McHenry Ave. in Modesto. RSVP is required to attend. EFSP application deadline is June 2. For more information or to RSVP for the workshop, contact Rebecca Ciszek at 209-346-7122 or email rlciszek@comcast.net.