EPHRATA – The Grant County Sheriff's Office has joined the BlueBridge Alliance, a nonprofit with the goal of allowing law enforcement officers more options for helping those in a tight spot, according to a GCSO statement.  

Funds raised in support of BlueBridge allow officers to help someone in distress who needs help with vehicle repairs, emergency food, shelter and clothing or fuel and transportation. The nonprofit provides credit cards with a $100 monthly allowance to deputies for that purpose and officers can spend that money at their discretion to help those in need.  

The nonprofit was founded in 2015 by retired Kennewick Police Chief Ken Hohenberg.  

GCSO joins other Washington agencies in the nonprofit, including the Moses Lake, Othello, Wenatchee and East Wenatchee police departments.  

In order to receive $2,500 in funding for GCSO deputies, matching funds in the amount of $2,500 need to be raised locally, the GCSO statement said. Those wishing to support the program and help to build it may donate at givebutter.com/MIC9Cs. The site is give bUtter, not better.