AARP and United Way Worldwide have announced the expansion of a caregiver support program to 10 new states, including Iowa.

United Way kicked off its campaign about the service Friday, because Feb. 11 is National 211 Day, and plans to work the next few months to build its database as it prepares to launch.

Last year, 211 programs across the state served more than 810,000 callers. Their top three needs were food, housing/shelter and utilities. Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.

“Thank you for calling 211. ... United Way’s local 211 hotline getting about 100 calls a day. March 5, 2013 “Thank you for calling 211. Debbie speaking. How may I help you?” If you’re looking for food ...

211 calls from military members and their families are directed to United Way's navigator, Samantha Kuns, who is a veteran herself. "I've seen it firsthand how well it can work.

More than 430,000 people called and texted the free social and human services hotline 211 or searched on its online database last year, the United Way said. That grew from almost 288,000 in 2019 ...