No one should go hungry. IMPACT 211 can help.

Food insecurity leads to increased calls to IMPACT 211

Of the 240,000 requests for assistance that IMPACT 211 received in 2024, over 25,000 were food related. This year has shown an increase in referrals for food resources with a recent surge attributed to food insecurity caused by rising grocery costs, as well as fallout from the government shutdown.

No one should go hungry. IMPACT 211’s community resource specialists can provide information and referral to food pantries, meal sites, baby formula, stock boxes and other food resources, as well as information about food subsidy programs. Our comprehensive resource database is updated frequently to offer the most current information about hours of operation, eligibility requirements, etc. of over 230 organizations in IMPACT 211's nine county region that offer 400 kinds of food-related resources at 320 locations.

IMPACT 211 is accessible by phone, text, online chat and mobile app.

Call 211 or toll-free 1-866-211-3380
Text your ZIP Code to 898-211
Click to chat or search the 211 online resource directory at impactinc.org
Download the 211 Wisconsin app from the App Store or Google Play

Also, the national 211 network has collaborated with United Way Worldwide to add a food assistance resource search function on 211.org which is searchable by ZIP Code.

Helping partners meet federal grant requirements

In 2025, IMPACT Planning & Evaluation helped bring $5.8 million federal grant dollars into the community. These funds have enabled our partners to sustain, enhance and expand services that serve as lifelines for residents throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.

Taking a collaborative approach, we research community needs, identify best practices, document outcomes, build evaluation capacity, promote continuous quality improvement, provide recommendations and support program sustainability.

This has been a year of many changes at the federal level. We have worked with our agency partners to adapt to those changes, ensuring that federal requirements are met to sustain funding and meet objectives.

Our team has provided planning and evaluation services for 14 community partners this year, including several mental health and substance use treatment agencies.

These engagements helped elicit useful feedback to inform and improve the work they’re doing, such as:

> Documenting the long-term improvements people make post-treatment

> Understanding the misperceptions people might have about medications to assist them in recovery.

> Identifying when an intervention designed to decrease risk behaviors isn't having the intended outcome.

Too many area families face food insecurity every day. Fortunately, Maria called IMPACT 211 and was connected to a local pantry. Help us make sure no one goes hungry with a gift to IMPACT today.

DONATE

Since 1960, IMPACT has helped people take the first step toward changing their life, for good. We assess and guide those experiencing personal crisis toward resources to achieve stability; and collaborate with community partners to foster system improvement throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.

IMPACT eblast archive