United Ways across Pennsylvania celebrate PA 211 Day
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — February 11 is recognized as 211 Day in Pennsylvania. It's an initiative from the United Ways in the state to remind Pennsylvanians that they don't have to navigate challenges alone.
If you dial 211 in Pennsylvania you'll be connected with someone who can refer you to housing, food, or utility assistance. The resource is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Last year 6,761 people in Blair, Cambria, and Somerset Counties reached out to the United Way of the Southern Alleghenies for help with housing & shelters, food security, utility assistance, and caring for an aging relative.
'We're seeing a lot of increasing needs around housing and utility assistance in particular. A lot of people are feeling the pinch of the economy and need a little bit of extra support these days,' Karen Struble Myers, President & CEO of United Way of the Southern Alleghenies said.
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In 2024, Blair County also had the most referrals, which means the county had the most need.
'We bring a lot of local programming here through 34 different partner agencies, all devoted to helping the health, education, well-being and economic stability of residents across Blair, Cambria and Somerset counties. So there's really a lot of great work that gets done by our community-based nonprofit, as well as a direct service work we do here at the United Way through resource, referral, our diaper bank program, as well as our snap at the market program to enhance food security,' Myers said.
There are several ways to connect with a United Way in your area. You can dial or chat with 211. You can also text your zip code to 898-211.
The PA211.org website was recently updated to make it easier to find local resources.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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