United Way uses Feb. 11 to bring awareness to 211

CHARLOTTE — The United Way is using Friday’s date -- Feb. 11 -- to let people know there is help if you dial 211.

Anyone can call 211 if they need assistance with a variety of issues like housing, mental health struggles, and even child care. The dispatchers then connect the caller with organizations in the area that may be able to help.

The chief impact officer of United Way of Central Carolinas told Channel 9′s Deneige Broom the organization has seen a 47% increase in calls during the pandemic, mostly from people who need help with housing.

“It’s not just people experiencing literal homelessness,” Kathryn Firmin-Sellers said. “It’s also people who are having trouble staying where they are because their income just doesn’t match their rent.”

2-1-1 is free, available 24/7, and has multilingual staff. Nonprofits are encouraged to get into the United Way’s database so they can be listed as a resource.

(WATCH BELOW: United Way to reduce funding to area nonprofits)

United Way to reduce funding to area nonprofits

©2022 Cox Media Group