EPB has invested $110,000 into United Way of Greater Chattanooga's Bridge Fund, matched by TVA, for a joint partnership of $220,000 to address basic needs like food, utilities, and housing, officials said Wednesday.
“At a time when the cost of living continues to increase, many people living in our community find it even harder to make funds stretch between paychecks,” said EPB President and CEO David Wade. “We appreciate this opportunity to partner with TVA and United Way in helping our neighbors in need.”
According to LendingClub, 61 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. United Way’s Bridge Fund provides direct support for those who have an immediate need for food, health services, transportation, crisis relief, housing, utility payments or childcare, it was stated.
In the last year, 211 has responded to more than 62,000 requests, more than half of which are for food assistance followed by rent and utility assistance.
To access free and confidential assistance, call 211, text your zip code to 898-211 or email 211staff@uwchatt.org.
“Approximately 40% of households in our region are currently facing financial hardship, many of them with children,” said United Way of Greater Chattanooga President & CEO Lesley Scearce. “With the support of our community partners, we are able to provide reliable and essential services to those experiencing financial stress.”
This is EPB and TVA’s fourth investment in the Bridge Fund, bringing their total investment to $940,000. Separately, EPB employees committed nearly $210,000 in personal contributions to the United Way during its 2023 annual campaign. TVA has supported more than 900 organizations with $22.5 million in assistance since 2020 through the Community Care Fund in partnership with local power companies in its seven-state service area.
“The United Way Bridge Fund provides essential resources for people throughout the Chattanooga area,” said TVA President & CEO Jeff Lyash. “We’re proud to work with our partners at EPB to support this lifeline for those in need.”
United Way also offers Benefits Kitchen, a free screening tool to help people determine whether they qualify for certain benefits. Text “benefits” to 211-211 to understand eligibility in less than 10 minutes.
United Way of Greater Chattanooga launched the Bridge Fund in 2020 to support the needs of those directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it has raised more than $1.5 million to assist 1,300 households. United Way continues to partner with numerous agencies to provide critical services to neighbors in need.