TVA, EPB aid United Way of Greater Chattanooga coronavirus relief fund

April 27, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. | Updated April 27, 2020 at 7:38 p.m.

by Dave Flessner, compiler

FILE - In this March 25, 2020 file photo, a closed sign hangs in the window of a shop in Portsmouth, N.H., due to caronavirus concerns. The Federal Reserve is taking additional steps to provide up to $2.3 trillion in loans to suport American households and businesses as well as local governments as they deal with the coronavirus. The Fed said Thursday, April 9, among the actions it is taking is the activation of a Main Street Lending Program that was authorized by the $2.3 trillion economic relief bill pass by Congress last month. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
FILE - In this March 25, 2020 file photo, a closed sign hangs in the window of a shop in Portsmouth, N.H., due to caronavirus concerns. The Federal Reserve is taking additional steps to provide up to $2.3 trillion in loans to suport American households and businesses as well as local governments as they deal with the coronavirus. The Fed said Thursday, April 9, among the actions it is taking is the activation of a Main Street Lending Program that was authorized by the $2.3 trillion economic relief bill pass by Congress last month. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Chattanooga's "Restore Hope Fund" created last month to help those who have lost jobs and income due to the coronavirus is getting a $50,000 matching grant from EPB and its power supplier, the Tennessee Valley Authority.

EPB and TVA announced Monday they are collectively investing $50,000 in matching donations to aid the relief program. The assistance is one of 52 such applications from local power companies that TVA has helped fund so far from the $2 million of economic assistance the federal utility announced last month it would provide to its power distributors to help community efforts during the COVID-19 crisis.

United Way of Greater Chattanooga created the Restore Hope Fund in partnership with a group of nonprofit agencies that serve a wide variety of populations and are working to meet the most pressing, on-the-ground needs.

"Losing a month or two of wages can be devastating for many of our neighbors, and in many cases will cost them the ability to pay the utility bill, rent or to afford many other basic needs," said Lesley Scearce, president and CEO of Chattanooga's United Way

"In working with United Way and its non-profit network, we're making an investment in our community's re-growth by providing real assistance to help our neighbors in need get back on their feet again.," Wade said.

TVA is matching the EPB grant.

"Now, more than ever, it's important that we provide assistance to our neighbors in need," TVA Presiden Jeff Lyash said. "As a part of this community, TVA is proud to stand with EPB and the United Way to provide assistance that helps our neighbors and community recover from these challenging times."

Thus far, the Restore Hope fund has also received a total of $180,000 in gifts from Truist Bank, McClellan Foundation, Chattanooga Whiskey and First Horizon Bank.

There have already been more than 100 applications for assistance from households all over the greater Chattanooga community, Scearce said.

To donate and learn more, please visit www.unitedwaycha.org/restorehope or text "RestoreHope" to 40403.

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