The Good 360 warehouse with rows of tables with stacks of food and goods organized on top

Emergency Food & Shelter Program

The Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) was established on March 24, 1983, with the signing of the “Jobs Stimulus Bill,” Public law 98-8, which created a National Board, chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) consisting of representatives from multiple nonprofits, including United Way Worldwide.

United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley is our local board for the EFSP.

Guiding Principles

  • Efficiency—fiscal administration, reporting and procedural guidance to Local Boards and LROs
  • Accountability—good steward of taxpayers’ dollars through reasonable oversight and transparency
  • Responsiveness—prioritize the allocation of supplemental funds to the neediest areas in the nation
  • Partnership—promote and strengthen collaboration between non-profit organizations and public sector
  • Facilitating—maximizing appropriate local decision-making through clear guidance and training

How Are Emergency Food & Shelter Program Funds Used?

Program funds are used to provide the following, as determined by each Local Board in funded jurisdictions:

  • Food, in the form of served meals or groceries.
  • Lodging in a mass shelter or hotel/motel.
  • Rent or mortgage payment(s), up to 90 days.
  • Utility bill(s), up to 90 days.
  • Equipment necessary to feed or shelter people, up to a $300 limit per item.

application details

The Local Board will begin accepting applications April 5, 2024. ​The deadline to submit an application is by 5:00 pm April 22, 2024, please reach out for additional information.

The Local Board for The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is currently soliciting applications from nonprofits who offer emergency food or shelter in Marion and Polk counties. The amount available for Marion and Polk Counties for Phase 41 is $179,284 which is an increase of $8,946 from the prior phase.

View the Overview & Guidance for Phase 41 of the Emergency Food & Shelter Program from the National Board.

View General Information about EFSP

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible to apply for this funding opportunity, an organization must:

  • Be a 501(c)(3) non-profit or agency of government in good standing with the IRS
  • Be eligible to receive Federal funds
  • Have an accounting system
  • Have a valid Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
  • Have a Unique Entity ID issued by sam.gov
  • Practice non-discrimination (agencies with a religious affiliation, will not refuse service to a client based on religion, nor engage in religious proselytizing or religious counseling in any program receiving Federal funds)
  • Have the capacity to deliver emergency food programs
  • Have a voluntary board if private, not-for-profit​

Two ways to Apply

Apply Online:

If you prefer to submit the Application in the Google Form you will be required to log into a Google account in order to upload attachments. (If you do not have one, create one by going to: accounts.google.com, click “Create Account,” and then select “For Myself.”) The Application is the same as the paper form being submitted via email or hard copy.

​If you encounter any issues please contact Julia Alpernas: Julia.alpernas@gmail.com

Click on the “APPLY NOW” button below to begin the application process:

Download Paper Application to Mail or Email in:

Download the application using the link below and mail it to:

Emergency Food & Shelter Local Board
C/O United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley
455 Bliler Street NE
Salem, OR 97301

or email the application to kcouey@unitedwaymwv.org ​