United Way of R.I.’s 211 Center took 263K calls in 2021

PROVIDENCE – United Way of Rhode Island’s 211 Center received a record number of calls in 2021, highlighting the multiple needs residents had for various reasons, including impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

United Way said 211 handled 263,347 calls all last year, the highest total in the program’s 15-year history. The organization said most of the calls it fielded were related to health information, food and housing.

Last year, United Way on average handled 721 calls per day, the organization said. The program, United Way said, offered assistance to schedule “tens of thousands” of COVID-19 tests and vaccinations, assisted R.I. Department of Human Services with the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer program, served as the quarantine and isolation resource center, partnered with the safe harbor housing program for eviction diversion, and supported food and supply services.

“It is clear that the need is as significant as it has ever been. And while the pandemic has exacerbated our challenges, the fact is these issues of basic needs were reaching crisis levels well before COVID-19. It’s time to address them at their root cause,” United Way CEO and President Cortney Nicolato said in a statement.

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James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.