Local Board recommends $10,824 in federal dollars be awarded to Bridges Community Action Partnership for mortgage assistance in Union County
The Union County Local Review Board submitted a plan to award $10,824 from Phase 38 to Bridges Community Action Partnership. Bridges
will use the funding for mortgage assistance in the county under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP). The plan is
pending final approval by the EFSP.
EFSP is a federal fund administered locally by The United Way of Union County. Corinne Bix, UWUC Director, serves as the local board chair.
“I am forever impressed by the collaborative efforts of our community to meet emergent needs,” Bix said. “Our local board includes
representatives from local government, social service and faith agencies. They did a great job of asking questions and
ensuring that the federal dollars be utilized in the best way possible.”
Andrew Binegar, Bridges Community Action Partnership Executive Director, said his group is appreciative of the award.
“Specifically, this grant will be used to help folks with mortgage assistance, with an emphasis to prevent evictions and/or foreclosures.
More times than not, we see people who need a onetime assistance to get them out of a foreclosure situation. With these funds, we
hope to help at least 15 households with assistance.” Binegar explained.
Per EFSP guidelines, the local board is comprised of individuals representing local government, social services, and the faith community.
Members include: Corinne Bix, United Way of Union County; Union County Commissioner Chris Schmenk; Ashley Gaver, City of Marysville;
Becky Bolt, Hope Center; Gene Miller, Marysville Area Ministerial Association; Jason King, Council for Union County Families;
Andrew Binegar, Bridges Community Action; Brittani Perdue, The Salvation Army; Deacon Dave Bezusko, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church;
Jerome Shapiro, Jewish Foundation; Heath Ring, Heart of Ohio Homeless Shelter; Laura Michalak, Union County Board of DD;
Sue Ware, Union County Job & Family Services; Dr. Phil Atkins, Mental Health and Recovery Board of Union County;
Jason Stanford, Union County-Marysville Economic Development.
Under terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must:
1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government,
2) have a sound accounting system,
3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs and
5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have an active board.
The amount of $10,824 to be used in Union County was allocated by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army; American Red Cross; United Jewish Communities;
Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; and United Way WorldWide. The National Board
was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas
around the country. These dollars represent Phase 38 of the program.
