United Way of Horry County received their second consecutive grant from Bank of America to help fund their 211 Resource Helpline, which is a free and confidential service for Horry County residents seeking resources or special needs assistance. The 211 Resource Helpline is available 365 days per year, 24 hours per day, and 7 days per week. The Bank of America grant is in the amount of $10,000 and the bank is a long-time supporter of United Way’s community-based financial stability work. 211 offers financial stability resources such as income support, employment opportunities, and housing and utility assistance.
Along with financial stability resources, 211 also offers assistance with food resources, health services, educational programs, and more. There is a database of a wide variety of service providers including support groups, community clinics, counselors, shelters, food pantries, programs for seniors, and many more agencies. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, 211 referral specialists have processed over 7,000 referrals from callers in Horry County. The top three needs Horry County residents called 211 for were: rental assistance, electric bill assistance, and homeless shelter information.
From 2019 to 2020, there was a 52% increase in call volume to 211. Most individuals that called 211 for assistance began to face new hardships as COVID-19 began to affect our community. Callers told referral specialists that “they never thought they would have to use 211 because they never thought they would be facing hardships.”
“Since 1995, Bank of America and the United Way of Horry County have built a strong partnership centered around providing support and meeting basic needs of Horry County residents,” said Robin Agnew, President, Bank of America Myrtle Beach. “As members of the community continue experiencing increased need, the 211 Resource Helpline is an important tool to help advance economic mobility and increase stability for our neighbors.”
Unpredicted layoffs and a decrease of essential supplies forced Horry County residents to seek assistance in new ways. United Way of Horry County is proud to continue to advance economic mobility, through 211, to Horry County thanks to the Bank of America Foundation.
To learn more about 211 and the resources provided visit United Way of Horry County’s website at: https://unitedwayhorry.org/211-2/. To reach 211, simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone or 1-866-892-9211.
For more information about this topic, contact Jentry Ward by email jentry@unitedwayhorry.org or by phone 843-347-5195 ext 3.
