Basic Needs

Basic Needs Slide 1

Goal

Ensure a safety net of basic services for people in crisis.

Basic Needs Slide 1

Focus

Food, shelter and other basic necessities

Issue

Many immediate needs keep our most vulnerable residents—people with few or no financial resources—from rebuilding their lives. In a typical year, 2-1-1 receives thousands of calls for food and utility assistance, as well as hundreds of calls for emergency shelter. More than 6,000 people in our region are homeless in a given year. Thousands lack transportation, child care, treatment for mental health problems, and a state ID to obtain basic services or get a job.

Ensuring a Safety Net

Action

United Way connects the support organizations and initiatives that address basic needs. We’ve helped lead efforts to provide services and get vital records for the homeless. We’ve partnered with food banks to feed thousands of people and gathered volunteers to address chronic hunger. For more ACTION examples, visit our PARTNERS & PROGRAMS page.

Ensuring a Safety Net
Basic Needs United Way

Impact Example

2,947,519 pounds of food were distributed through area food pantries in 2017 due to United Way-funded partnerships.

Basic Needs United Way

CTS Telecom, Edwards Garments and OnStaff Group support strategies within BASIC NEEDS.