During the COVID-19 pandemic, Escambia County, FL has seen the nation’s largest increase in calls to the 2-1-1 helpline for basic needs. To show which needs increased and when, we examined 34,671 requests received by 211 in Escambia during 2020 and plotted them month-by-month. Press the play button to set in motion a video graphic displaying these changes over time. As the pandemic begins in March and April, requests in Escambia County – home to Pensacola – immediately increased across nearly all categories, but especially for food and housing. Housing needs continue growing nearly every month. In September, disaster-related requests skyrocketed when the region was hit by Hurricane Sally. Clothing needs increase steadily through the Fall, and the year ends with utility-related requests at their highest point of the year. Data were obtained from 211 Counts, a daily tracking system of social needs used by 211s in 38 states.
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