The number of calls to the 211 helpline are on the rise. United Way Blackhawk Region President and CEO Mary Fanning-Penny says the pandemic is part of the reason behind the surge. Fanning-Penny says many of the thousands of calls in Rock County over the last two years focused on COVID-19 symptoms and vaccination information, but also centered around food-insecurity, housing support, and mental illness services. She says many of the calls locally to 211 were from people who’ve never needed services before. Overall, last year more than 350,000 requests were made to 211 across Wisconsin.
