The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) is a FEMA-funded program that provides financial assistance to organizations that help individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness or hunger.   

EFSP supplements and expands the ongoing work of local social service organizations, both non-profit and governmental, to provide shelter, food and supportive services to individuals and families who have economic emergencies. Accordingly, EFSP funding is open to all organizations helping hungry and homeless people, as well as organizations that support those at risk of becoming hungry or homeless due to economic hardships. 

EFSP plays a major role in combating hunger and homelessness across rural, urban, and suburban communities. This funding, which is appropriated by Congress to support essential services – including food pantries and homeless shelters – provided more than $100 million to 8,000 organizations in 2,500 counties across the country in Fiscal Year 2023. 

Despite EFSP’s critical role in combating hunger and homelessness in our country, the President's FY26 Budget Request proposes to eliminate EFSP within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

Ask your Member of Congress to oppose the proposed elimination of EFSP in the President’s budget and maintain at least enacted funding levels for EFSP in the FY26 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill to combat hunger and homelessness.