United Way: 117K calls to 2-1-1 in 2015 were for food, more than any previous year

PROVIDENCE – Of the more than 203,000 calls for help to United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island in 2015, the United Way of Rhode Island reported 117,334 requests for food assistance – more than any previous year and a 350 percent increase over just five years ago.
The organization released its annual 2-1-1 data report, “Help Starts Here, Rhode Island,” at the Statehouse on Feb. 11 in recognition of National 2-1-1 Day. The event also featured the presentation of four community awards.
“Every day, people call 2-1-1 for help and share the difficult choices they are making as the costs of living continue to increase,” said Anthony Maione, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island. “The biggest needs we saw last year were for financial help, food and housing assistance, all common denominators that affect every aspect of our lives. In Rhode Island, we can do better.”
Established locally in 2007, 2-1-1 is an information and referral call center available 24/7, 365 days a year, during times of disaster, and in a variety of different languages. Last year’s 203,527 calls brought the total number handled since inception to more than 1.5 million.
Along with requests for help with food reaching an all-time high, requests for assistance with housing continued to grow, the report stated. The 2-1-1 service handled 60,798 requests for housing help in 2015, more than double the requests received in 2009, which is regarded as the year the Great Recession ended according to the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research. Additionally, requests for emergency shelter reached 48,461, the sixth consecutive year the figure has risen.

“Behind every number shared through this 2-1-1 report is the story of an individual or family that likely reminds you of someone you know, or even yourself,” added Maione. “Yes, the state’s economy has improved, but there are far too many Rhode Islanders who have been left behind in the recovery and still need help; 2-1-1 provides that help, because we all need help sometimes.”
Four awards were also distributed.
The Rhode Island Community Food Bank won the 2-1-1 Community Partner Award, presented in recognition of its leadership and relationship building within the 2-1-1 service network.
Volunteer Judy Wallace won the 2-1-1 Volunteer Award, for helping to create reports, take calls and support implementation of evolving programs.
Rhode Island’s Guatemalan Consulate won the 2-1-1 Innovation Award, for expanding the service’s reach throughout the local Latino community.
Karen Mellor, chief of library services for the state of Rhode Island, won the 2-1-1 Steadfast Support Award, for instrumental assistance in expanding the service’s reach using the state’s network of libraries.
For more information, visit www.LIVEUNITEDri.org.

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