Union City, Tenn.–The Union City Energy Authority, along with Union City businesses and individuals have gone beyond what was needed to raise matching funds for the COVID Community Care Fund. The funds raised will be divided between two local agencies: Helping Hand Ministries and The Bridge of West Tennessee.
Union City Energy Authority CEO Jerry Bailey said, “TVA is administering and providing funds for the COVID Community Care Fund. The fund will provide up to $2,000,000 to non-profit agencies across the Valley for projects that provide needed community services during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Every local power company is allotted a portion of the fund depending on its size, Bailey said. “Our local portion of the matching fund is $10,000. All of the money available from the TVA fund must be matched dollar for dollar by other donors within the local area, and we have obtained and surpassed those matching funds.”
Bailey said he could not believe the willingness of local companies and individuals who were willing to help obtain the matching funds. One company heard about the program through the grapevine and decided to help also.
Bailey said it is unprecedented that TVA would provide funding for local agencies and even allow local power companies to provide a portion of the match. “We had already obtained the needed matching funds but our board wanted to help just like the other donors,” Bailey said.
The money will be split between two local agencies: Helping Hand Ministries and The Bridge of West Tennessee. “These agencies provide funds to assist people and the additional funds will help during this pandemic. Both agencies have boards that oversee their operations and coordinate assistance with each,” Bailey said. The money should be available to these agencies within the next few weeks.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the other contributors making this possible. I was very impressed with their willingness to give,” Bailey said. The donors for the matching funds are: Bill and Carol Latimer, Little General Convenience Stores, Tyson Foods, Union City Rotary Club and Union City Energy Authority.
Bailey also stated he appreciated the Tennessee Valley Authority providing the COVID Community Care Fund to help not only our local area but also to assist with people in need throughout the Tennessee Valley region.