Last week I got a few emails from Mother’s looking for snowsuits for their kids. I sent a lot of emails and just couldn’t seem to find an answer for someone that needed it right away. Thankfully, someone on Carleton Place Moms ( Facebook) directed me to the Baptist Church where they were giving away warm clothing the next day.
I had never been asked that question before and I wanted to be able to give out a better answer faster than I did that night. I thought about starting a list and United Way East Regional Director Fraser Scantlebury told me it would be defeating the purpose as things would be come obsolete the day after I listed them because things change so fast. He was right, and it would be the last thing I want.
Got a question about any social issue? Ontario 211 is a free helpline that connects you to community and social services in your area 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in over 150 languages. From basic needs like housing and food, to support for seniors and children, to responding to crisis situations, 211 is there.
They will help you with essential community and social services, such as financial assistance programs, health clinics, or counselling services and the list goes on and on. So if I had called them about where to get a snowsuit or a free lunch 211 a real person, not a recorded voice, that would have helped me out.
Call 211 or email https://211ontario.ca/
United Way is a proud founding partner of 211 in Canada, providing funding and support for the program, and working to make its services available to all Canadians.
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