Background

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) was created in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental, in an effort to help people with economic emergencies (not disaster-related). EFSP funds may be used to provide economic assistance in the long term, even if the current circumstances may have been impacted by an earlier disaster occurrence. EFSP funding is open to all 501(c)(3) non-profits, faith-based organizations, and government organizations helping hungry and homeless people. EFSP funds must be used to supplement feeding, sheltering (including transitional sheltering) and rent/mortgage.

Emergency Food and Shelter Phase 40 Grants Funding

The Monterey County EFSP program has received $267,147 in Phase 40 funds. Eligible organizations that can apply for grants are nonprofits, faith-based, or governmental entities.

Process:

Local Boards set funding priorities based on current needs and eligible program activities prior to the selection of agencies for funding. Local Boards must look at the resources available in the community, the emergency food and shelter needs of the community, gaps in services in the community and focus the dollars to address these needs in the areas of emergency food and shelter. 

The priorities may vary from year to year, so each award phase is be evaluated individually. 

Once priorities are set, the Local Board reviews proposals and selects organizations for funding to help meet the identified needs. 

The local Board requests that applying agencies leverage partnerships, funding, and prevention solutions to complement the immediate relief provided by emergency food and shelter grants. 

Phase 40 Funding Priorities:

• Rent/Mortgage Assistance 
• Hotel/Motel Assistance 
• Food Purchases (food, diapers, feminine hygiene products) 
• Mass Shelter Expenses 

Phase 40 Regional Priorities:  Funding will be prioritized for: 

• South Monterey County cities 
• Salinas 
• North Monterey County cities

Local Board: 

Board Member agencies are representative of: 

• National agencies: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 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 
• Homeless Advocate 
• Local Non-Profits 

Phase 40 Grantees

Local Leadership 

The 2023 Monterey County Local Emergency Food and Shelter Board is:

• John Bennet - Major, Salvation Army, Monterey Peninsula Corps 
• Jill Allen - Executive Director, Dorothy's Place  
• Roxanne Wilson - Monterey County Homeless Services Director 
• Angela Di Novella - Executive Director, Catholic Charities 
• Josh Madfis (Chair) - Vice President, Community Investments, United Way Monterey County 
• Michele Averill - Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross of the Central Coast 
• Carissa A. Purnell - Director of Health & Wellness, Salinas City School District 
• David Balch - Executive Director, Closer Walk 
• Fabiola Lopez - Grants Coordinator, City of Greenfield 
• Adriana Y Narez-Tapia - Management Analyst II, Monterey County Department of Social Services 
• Donna Smith - Program Coordinator, Homeless Children and Youth Services, Monterey County Office of Education 

For information about the Emergency Food and Shelter Program or Local Board 077600, please visit the EFSP website or contact: 

Josh Madfis  
josh.madfis@unitedwaymcca.org 
Vice President, Community Investments 
United Way Monterey County