The 2018 Chattanooga Times Free Press Neediest Cases campaign ended on New Year’s Day, but the one-time solution the fund provides to families is playing out as social service agencies respond to the eviction of residents from the Chatt City Suites on 20th Street.
At least six families from the extended-stay motel have been referred to the Neediest Cases Fund in the last two days, officials for the United Way of Chattanooga said Friday. Julia Wilhelm, a member of United Way’s marketing department, said the agency was working with Family Promise of Greater Chattanooga. The United Way administers the Neediest Cases Fund for the Times Free Press.
“What has happened in the past few days shows how critical the fund really is,” Wilhelm said. “It is interesting that the money given in just the past two months is already being put to good use. We say how critical this money is, and here’s the proof.”
Evicted families looking for new shelter will look to the Neediest Cases fund for a one-time expense related to their first month’s rent, help with a security deposit or setting up new utilities. More than 60 percent of requests met by the Neediest Cases Fund in 2018 related to housing.
The 2018 Neediest Cases campaign raised $41,963.70 between Nov. 21 and the end of December, surpassing the $39,124 raised in 2017. Nine different social services agencies were involved in stories featuring recipients, including a deaf man from North Georgia who repaired his truck, a young mother seeking to unite her family after doing time in prison and an Army veteran who needed supplies so volunteer local electricians could wire his trailer.