Emergency Food & Shelter Program

The Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) was created in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local social services agencies to help communities with economic emergencies.

Funded Counties

MADISON COUNTY has been awarded federal funds made available through the State Set-Aside process of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP).

Madison County has been chosen to receive an $8,500 award to supplement emergency food and shelter programs.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, USA, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, The Salvation Army, and United Way Worldwide. The Local Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

A Local Board will determine how the funds awarded to each county are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. EFSP was created in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental, to help people with economic emergencies (not disaster-related [i.e., fires of any kind, floods, tornadoes, etc.] emergencies). Therefore, EFSP funds are not to be used to provide economic assistance for circumstances that are the immediate result of a disaster situation. The Local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds made available under this phase of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, qualifying agency requirements include:

Be 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 programs
If they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply. Individuals are not eligible to apply for these funds.

Application Instructions

To apply for funding,

Click the button below to be directed to the application portal (https://uwbv.communityforce.com/Login.aspx)
1. New Applicants:
  To begin a new application click the “Create New Account” button below. Your account will be created and tied to your email address.
2. Existing Applicants:
  Enter your Username and Password to complete the application. (This is your email address and password used to set up your account.)
3. Forgot Password:
  Click on “Forgot Password” and enter your login email address to reset your password. Once complete, an email will be sent asking you to reset your password. You will receive a confirmation email once you’ve successfully reset your password.
Select “Emergency Food & Shelter Program Phase 41 Application”
If the application is not on your Dashboard, search for “Emergency Food & Shelter Program Phase 41 Application”
Complete the application by the due date

Tip: Save your work as you go!

Applications due to United Way by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024.

It is highly recommended that agencies have a representative attend the EFSP Local Board meeting following the application deadline. Those who apply will be sent an invitation link to join the meeting.

The EFSP Local Board meeting will meet the week of February 26 – March 1 to review the applications and make funding decisions. An invitation will be sent to all applicants.

Each agency will be given five minutes to present their application to the Board. Agencies not represented will have their application read to the EFSP Local Board. Supplemental information will not be presented if you do not attend the meeting. It is the responsibility of the agency applying for funds to ensure their interests are adequately represented at the Local Board meeting.