What is the Emergency Food and Shelter Program?
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program began in 1983 with a $50 million federal appropriation. The program was created by congress to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people through the United States and its territories by allocating federal funds for the provision of food and shelter to nonprofit or governmental organizations in local communities.
The program is governed by a National Board composed 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. The Board is chaired by a representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
How are Emergency Food and Shelter Program Funds Used?
Emergency Food and Shelter funds are dispersed to and used by nonprofit or governmental organizations to provide the following, as determined by the Local Board in funded jurisdictions:
- Food, in the form of served meals or groceries.
- Lodging in a mass shelter or hotel.
- One month’s rent or mortgage payment.
- One month’s utility bill.
- Equipment necessary to feed or shelter people, up to a $300 limit per item.
How does my Agency or Organization Apply?
When a jurisdiction is funded, the Local Board through United Way of Central Oklahoma must advertise the availability of funds. Local organizations, whether nonprofit or governmental, may apply. The Local Board is responsible for considering all applications, and for determining which organizations will receive funds. Nonprofits and government agencies must submit an application and original, signed Local Recipient Organization (LRO) Certification to be considered for funding.
On January 27, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a memorandum to federal agencies, requiring a temporary pause on all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the recent executive orders. OMB has rescinded this memorandum.
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) National Board recognizes that the memorandum and the recent executive orders may have created a great amount of uncertainty and anxiety for the Local Boards and Local Recipient Organizations participating in the program. The National Board is working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to better understand and respond to the anticipated impact on the EFSP and the program participants. EFSP staff will provide timely updates on the program’s web page as more information becomes available.
If you are an individual in need of emergency housing or food assistance, please call 2-1-1.
Liliana Macias
Community Initiatives & Research Manager
lmacias@unitedwayokc.org
405-236-8441