Morning, NOOGA – Kayla here, and over the last two months, I’ve been thinking a lot about Mr. Rogers' famous advice: “Look for the helpers.” No matter how down I’ve felt during this pandemic, it’s helped me to see people helping: from businesses donating food and supplies to hospitals to coffee shops offering discounts to grocery workers.

United Way of Greater Chattanooga is no stranger to helping – the organization mobilized 10,000+ volunteers and gave more than $11 million back to our community last year alone. Last month, United Way launched the Restore Hope Fund to support our community’s response + resilience efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund supports individuals and households experiencing lost wages or other adverse circumstances as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, helping with rent, utility payments + other areas of financial strain.

Now, EPB + TVA are investing in the economic re-growth of our community by matching donations to the Restore Hope Fund up to $50,000. In the words of David Wade, CEO & President of EPB, “People who have never asked for help need it now.” There have already been 100+ applications for assistance from households all over the greater Chattanooga community. Here are some of their stories.

Every dollar donated to the Restore Hope Fund goes directly back to households + individuals to meet basic needs. United Way anticipates that these basic needs will only increase in the coming weeks as the COVID-19 pandemic + its effects are prolonged.

To join EPB, TVA and other local organizations in being a champion of hope for our neighbors in the days ahead, you can donate to the fund online or by texting “RestoreHope” to 40403. You can also spread the word using the social sharing buttons below. Ⓟ