TOLEDO, Ohio — Data from United Way shows that utility assistance is the No. 1 need for Ohioans who use the United Way 211 Helpline.
They’re working with the community to help get people back on their feet.
Helping people in need is what Remi Hampton loves most. As a case manager with Unison Health, she helps clients who are struggling with food insecurity.
“Some of the different food pantries within Toledo have certain requirements, whether it’s like a ZIP code or something to that effect,” said Hampton.
But gaining access to food isn’t the only thing her clients need. She also helps connect them with housing resources. And that’s where the united Way 211 Helpline comes in handy.
“That helps with like covering certain utility bills or I’m just like helping like I’m in emergency cases as well,” she said.
The United Way 211 Helpline is available 24/7. It helps connect people with basic needs, mental health services and much more.
“It’s just like really nice, really quick access, especially because I’m running from place to place until throughout the day,” she said. “So it’s really helpful for that. It’s very quick. Normally and the resources are always really accurate as well. So that’s really helpful.”
Last year, the United Way of Greater Cincinnati helpline received more than 50,000 callers, with about half of them being from people seeking help with their utilities or for housing issues.
“As the weather gets colder, we’re going to see more families really thinking about, 'How am I going to cover my utility bills and income just because of inflation,' I think our dollars are not stretching as far as they used to,” said Moira Weir, United Way of Greater Cincinnati CEO.
Moira Weir, CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati, believes inflation has a lot to do with it.
“There’s always spikes when you see less government funding and perhaps evictions are at an all-time high in the region,” said Weir. “So we are seeing more increased calls around housing. But the calls tend to be somewhat consistent throughout the year, which just speaks to the needs within the community.”
The City of Cincinnati has allocated more than $415,000 in the 2023 fiscal year to help people struggling with utilities. Weir said she and her team are constantly working with the community to make sure that Ohioans get the resources they need in a timely manner. And it’s something that Hampton said she greatly appreciates.
“[When] I’m in the car and I don’t have like that information right in front of me, it’s really easy to call,” she said. “They’ll give you like a whole list of exactly what time it’s open, where exactly the pantries are located.”
Correction: This story has been corrected to reflect the data is from the United Way of Greater Cincinnati's 211 helpline. The previous version of this story also stated United Way of Greater Cincinnati allocated $415,000 in funding. This has been corrected to show that the City of Cincinnati allocated the funding. (Oct. 24, 2023)