Food, housing and utility needs reported to 2-1-1s in October 2020 were sharply higher than totals from October 2019.
Year-over-year changes: October 2019 to 2020
Author: Jordyn Wartts
Trending in October: COVID, clothes, holiday meals
Requests for holiday meals, COVID-19 services, and clothing grew fastest in October. COVID-19 requests to 2-1-1, which include those seeking information about testing, jumped by 73% in October. Clothing needs grew by 30%. But the biggest October increase was in requests for holiday meals at 153%.
California fires drive 2-1-1 to near-record usage
California wildfires pushed 2-1-1 call volume back near peak levels set in the first month of the COVID-19 pandemic. A closer look at 2-1-1 requests during the CZU fire showed a dramatic increase in disaster-related calls seeking assistance with housing and shelter.