The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was created in 1983 to expand the work of local social service agencies (non-profit and governmental) in assisting people with economic emergencies.

Funding is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as the state of California, and is awarded as grants to supplement food, shelter, rent and utility assistance only.

United way serves as the fiscal agent for the EFSP and EFSP staff are housed in United Way's headquarters