February 09, 2026 - Pittsburgh, PA
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis joined state and local leaders at United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania today to applaud the work of PA 211 call center workers and highlight how the 2026-27 Shapiro-Davis budget increases state funding for this vital service by an additional $250,000, ensuring resources are available when Pennsylvanians encounter a moment of crisis. Pennsylvanians can call or text 211 or visit www.pa211.org to be connected to various local resources, including food assistance, counseling services, health care, housing and utility payment assistance, disaster recovery, employment and education services, veterans' services and more. In 2024, PA 211 received more than 200,000 calls, texts and chats, leading to nearly 700,000 referrals for resources and services. "When my staff met with the United Way's team last fall, that also happened to be at the moment when the federal government was shutting down, putting food assistance at risk for nearly two million Pennsylvanians," said Davis. "Governor Shapiro and I were visiting food banks and encouraging people to call 211 for both assistance and volunteer opportunities. It was so encouraging to see so many Pennsylvanians step up to donate and volunteer at that critical time - and PA 211's call centers stepped up in that critical moment, as well. This work is important - and these workers are important. That's why Governor Shapiro and I are calling for a 33 percent increase to the PA 211 line item in our state budget proposal."Speaker List:Bobbi Watt Geer, President & CEO, United Way of Southwestern PennsylvaniaLt. Governor Austin DavisSara Innamorato, Allegheny County ExecutiveMayor Corey O'Connor, PittsburghSenator Wayne FontanaRepresentative Lindsay PowellErica Evans, 211 Training Manager
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