Latest news with #PA211
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ALICE report reveals local households struggling to afford basics
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — A report released on Tuesday revealed that nearly half of all households in Blair, Cambria, and Somerset counties live paycheck to paycheck, often without access to assistance. The report comes from United Way of Pennsylvania and its research partner, United For ALICE. According to the report, in 2023, 29% of Pennsylvanians working the 20 most common jobs—including personal care aides, janitors, cashiers, and waitstaff- lived in households that couldn't afford necessities like housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology. These workers fall into a demographic known as ALICE, an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. 'So what we know is that the ALICE population continues to grow. So since 2010 to 2023, we've had a 71% increase. And the overall number of individuals who are ALICE, across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,' Karen Struble Myers, President & CEO of United Way of the Southern Alleghenies, said. Struble Myers said even though the data is from 2023, when 2024's numbers are released, she doesn't expect them to shift drastically. Bedford County Development Association in early stages of finding outdoor recreation coordinator According to the report, the percentage of households living below the ALICE threshold or in poverty stands at 48% in Blair County and 45% in both Cambria and Somerset Counties. Rich Lobb, the manager of the Moxham Food Pantry, said in the last three years, the number of people coming to the food pantry has increased by at least 25%. Some even refer to the area as a food island, because it doesn't have as many grocery stores. 'We restock constantly. When people come in, depending on the volume of folks, obviously. But we're restocking, from probably the first hour that we're open till we leave in the afternoon, late in the afternoon. So, yeah, it's a constant restock,' Lobb said. More people are also spending money on housing, according to Struble Myers. 'We simply don't have enough affordable housing in our communities. So the solution to ALICE relies at the intersection of public policy, support in the community from the Philanthropic sector. Our social services agencies are working together. So it's really a public-private sector challenge even with our local employers,' Struble Myers said. People who are in the ALICE demographic may not qualify for certain benefits because, technically, they make too much money. However, they can still rely on resources like food pantries, food banks, and PA 211. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
United Way observing PA 211 program of helping those in need
United Way groups across Pennsylvania are celebrating PA 211 Day on Tuesday, recognizing the vital role this free, confidential service plays in helping residents connect with essential health and human services. PA 211 operates all day, every day of the year to assist individuals in Somerset, Cambria and Blair counties in finding the help they need from housing and utility assistance to food security and childcare support – whether for themselves, a friend, or a loved one. "211 is completely confidential and free. Anyone can use the program simply by making the call, text, or online communication," said Rick Kazmer, community relationship and marketing manager for United Way of the Southern Alleghenies, in an email. "This is a very important program that helps us to gauge community needs, in addition to helping people find the right program." More: Special Olympics Pennsylvania celebrating 46th annual Winter Games at Seven Springs United Way of the Southern Alleghenies funds PA 211 in partnership with the PA 211 Network. Call 2-1-1, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or search for resources online at Calls from this region are handled by a team of trained care navigators in Allegheny County, who are knowledgeable about local programs such as the diaper bank, emergency assistance programs, and early childhood education resources, that ensure children have success early in life. More: Redevelopment Authority of Somerset County to apply for housing rehab funding "PA 211 is a lifeline for so many people in our communities," United Way of the Southern Alleghenies President and CEO Karen Struble Myers said in a press release. "Unexpected challenges – financial or health-related – can create stress. PA 211 is there to mitigate the problems by connecting individuals to community-based resources." PA 211 can help in situations such as: Caring for an aging friend or relative and not knowing where to start. Struggling to pay rent or keep the power on. Worrying about putting food on the table for your family. "This is a streamlined program that provides residents with an instant way to communicate with a trained care navigator during a time in their lives when they just need a little help. The navigators are knowledgeable about United Way programs in Somerset County, including our diaper bank," Kazmer said in an email. "Housing, food security, and utility assistance continue to be leading reasons whey people contact 211." Pennsylvanians have been able to turn to PA 211 for help since 2020, according to the press release. Locally, 67% of contacts in Somerset, Cambria and Blair counties are related to housing, food, and utility assistance – with more than 6,000 requests answered within the last year alone, according to PA 211 Counts. Madolin Edwards has been a journalist at the Daily American for 38 years, covering school boards, borough councils, sports and new stories. Contact the Daily American staff writers at news@ This article originally appeared on The Daily American: United Way celebrating PA 211 Day on Feb.11
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
PA 211 Day: United Way supports Blair, Cambria, Somerset residents
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — United Way organizations across Pennsylvania will recognize PA 211 Day on Feb. 11, celebrating the vital service that helps residents connect with essential health and human services. PA 211 operates year-round, 24 hours a day, offering free and confidential assistance to individuals in Blair, Cambria, and Somerset counties. The service provides support for housing, food security, childcare, and utility assistance. Locally, the United Way of the Southern Alleghenies funds PA 211 in partnership with the PA 211 Network. Calls from the region are handled by trained care navigators in Allegheny County, who connect individuals with programs like the Diaper Bank, emergency assistance, and early childhood education services. Since 2020, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians have turned to PA 211 for help. In Blair, Cambria, and Somerset counties alone, more than 6,000 requests were answered in the past year, with 67% of contacts related to housing, food, and utility assistance, according to PA 211 Counts. Residents can access PA 211 by calling 2-1-1, texting their ZIP code to 898-211, or searching for resources online at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
