EFSP

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Emergency Food and Shelter Program

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APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

February 2025 

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) has allocated $97,551 for Benton County and $49,088 for Franklin County to supplement emergency food and shelter programs during Phase 42.

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

Provide services in Benton and/or Franklin Counties and meet the following criteria:

  • Be a 501(c)(3) non-profit or agency 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 UEI number issued by the Federal government before application closes.

  • 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 board that meets at least quarterly

Eligible organizations may request up to a maximum of $20,000 per organization per phase.

EFSP funds must be used to supplement or expand existing resources and programs in the following categories: Other Food, Shelter, Rent/Mortgage.

 

EFSP funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis and require specific documentation for proof of purchase. Eligible expenses incurred between January 1 to December 31, 2025 are eligible for reimbursement.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) was created, in 1983, by Congress to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people throughout the United States and its territories by allocating federal funds for the provision of food and shelter.

United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties facilitates a local board of community volunteers who decide how the funds from EFSP are distributed within Benton and Franklin Counties each year.

Click here more information about EFSP. 

The online application is now closed

The application is due no later than 8:00 p.m., Thursday February 20, 2025.  Applications submitted without the UEI number will not be considered due to time constraints in applying for the UEI number and federal requirements.

Agencies will be notified of funding awards around March 25, 2025.

Examples of Eligible Items

  • All purchased food items (e.g. food purchased by a food bank)
  • Any food used in served meals (e.g. food purchased by a meal center)
  • Diapers and feminine hygiene products
  • Gift cards/certificates to grocery stores
  • Food vouchers
  • Boxes and plastic storage bags used to store and deliver food
  • Paper products (paper plates, towels, toilet tissue) used to serve meals
  • Items and utensils used to prepare food
  • Maintenance fees charged by food banks
  • Transportation costs for pickup and delivery of food, and for transporting clients to food distribution sites
  • Lodging charges from a hotel or motel
  • Lodging charges from a nonprofit facility acting as a vendor
  • Lodging stays up to a total of 90 days
  • Local taxes added to the bill
  • Certain transportation costs
  • Three months of past due balance of rent or mortgage per household per EFSP phase
  • Three months of current balance of rent or mortgage per household per EFSP phase
  • One payment of first month’s rent per household per EFSP phase

Questions?

For more information about how to apply for EFSP funds in Benton and Franklin Counties, contact grants@uwbfco.org or call 509-783-4102.