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.
[ ALSO READ: Commissioners approve $2.2M for United Way’s Unite Charlotte program ]
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.
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.”
(WATCH BELOW: United Way to reduce funding to area nonprofits)
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