Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP)
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was established on March 24, 1983, with the signing of the "Jobs Stimulus Bill", Public Law 98-8. That legislation created a National Board, chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency "FEMA" that consisted of representatives of the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, the Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide.
The Emergency Food & Shelter Program is a Federal program administered by the U.S Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS/FEMA). It has been entrusted through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (PL 100-77) “to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food and supportive services” by local social service organizations for people across our Nation who are hungry, homeless, and in economic crisis. The EFSP National Board designated United Way of Cumberland County to serve as the administrator to the Local EFSP Board. Representatives from the following organizations are mandated to comprise the Local EFSP Board: American Red Cross; Catholic Charities USA; The Jewish Federations of North America; National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA; The Salvation Army; United Way of Cumberland County; Homeless Agency Representative; Native American Agency Representative; Government Agency Representative; and Aging Council Agency Representative.
