United Way of Greater Cleveland launches 211 resource finder at 211oh.org as food becomes No. 1 need among callers
Calls to 211 for food-related assistance have more than doubled, reflecting the depth of hardship residents are experiencing throughout Greater Cleveland
CLEVELAND (Nov. 6, 2025) – United Way of Greater Cleveland today announced expanded food assistance resources through its 211 Helpline, including a new 211 Food Resource Finder online at 211oh.org, to help residents quickly locate nearby food programs as the federal government shutdown continues to disrupt Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
More than 190,000 residents in Cuyahoga County, about 15% of the population, and 2,500 residents in Geauga County rely on SNAP to help feed their families. With benefits now paused, hundreds of thousands of working families, including seniors and children, are struggling to afford food, one of life’s most basic needs.
In recent days, food has jumped from the number three to number one need among people contacting United Way 211, surpassing housing and utilities, which have historically ranked as the top two needs. Calls to 211 for food-related assistance have more than doubled, reflecting the depth of hardship residents are experiencing throughout Greater Cleveland.
“When families lose access to vital benefits like SNAP, it can quickly push them from stability into crisis,” said Sharon Sobol Jordan, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Cleveland. “Right now, food is the number one need we’re hearing about as calls to United Way 211 have more than doubled. Our 211 team is working around the clock to connect people to help as fast as possible, and the new 211 Food Resource Finder makes it even easier to find trusted, up-to-date information on local food resources when it’s needed the most.”
Available now at 211oh.org, the 211 Food Resource Finder allows users to type in what they need and instantly receive customized information about nearby food banks and pantries, meal programs, and assistance options, tailored to residents’ specific location, household size, and dietary needs.
United Way is also hiring temporary 211 staff and expanding callback capacity to meet the surge in demand and shorten wait times for those seeking assistance. The 211 callback feature ensures that no call for help goes unanswered. When phone lines are full, callers can request a secure callback from a trained navigator, keeping their place in line and connecting them to resources as soon as an expert is available.
The 211 team continues to coordinate closely with Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services and other community partners to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information about available supports as the situation evolves. While SNAP benefits are paused, other key programs, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Winter Crisis utility assistance, housing vouchers, Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare, remain active.
United Way encourages community partners, employers, and residents to share the 211 Food Resource Finder broadly so that anyone affected by the SNAP pause in benefits can connect to the available food resources more quickly.
“Our community’s network of support is only as strong as our ability to reach it in our moment of need,” said Jordan. “United Way 211 is the fastest, most reliable way for anyone to connect with food, help, and hope when it matters most.”
For more information, to access the 211 Food Resource Finder, and chat online with a 211 navigator, visit 211oh.org or call 2-1-1 any time, day or night.
Read more about the challenges faced by hard-working families across Greater Cleveland in United Way’s most recently released (May 2025) Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Report.
About United Way of Greater Cleveland
For more than 100 years, United Way of Greater Cleveland has served the Greater Cleveland community, connecting individuals and families to the resources and support they need to achieve lasting financial security. Through United Way’s 211 Helpline and numerous community investments, United Way helps individuals move from crisis to opportunity and stability, building a stronger region for all.
###
