An Emergency Food and Shelter Program virtual Technical Workshop for Phase 43 grant applicants will be held via Zoom on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
An RSVP is required by Thursday, Oct.1, 2026, to participate. The deadline to submit a fully completed EFSP application is Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, by 4 p.m. For more information or to RSVP for the mandatory workshop, contact Rebecca Ciszek, EFSP Board Administrator at:rlciszek@comcast.net.
The Stanislaus County Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Local Board will open the competitive application process for Phase 43 funding awarded to eligible jurisdictions by the National EFSP Board through the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Stanislaus County’s Phase 43 award is set at $274,571.
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 between the anticipated dates of Jan. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2026. No start up programs or administrative funding is allowed under this grant.
As funding has not yet been released, funding will be retroactive for services rendered during dates as determined by the EFSP National Board.
Nationally, $117 million has been made available under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2023.
The Stanislaus EFSP 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 that 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.
