Wichita mayor designates United Way 2-1-1 hotline ‘one-stop shop’ for coronavirus

Wichita now has a one-stop shop to help get food and supplies to people in self-quarantine, especially elderly residents who are most vulnerable to COVID-19.

It’s as simple as dialing 2-1-1, the United Way of the Plains hotline.

“They have agreed to be a one stop shop for people who will be looking for resources during this time,” Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said. “So if you’re self-quarantined or part of a vulnerable population and you need resources, but you’re not comfortable going out, call 211. They should be able to help you get resources.”

Whipple asked the United Way of the Plains on Monday to serve as the city’s one-stop shop during the coronavirus crisis. While Sedgwick County government has taken the lead on the public health crisis, Wichita’s mayor said the city is prepared to do whatever it can to ensure the safety of residents.

“I signed up for this. We have an experienced council, and we’re going to tackle this head on. Wichitans need to know we have their backs, and we all have each other’s backs during this time,” he said.

When it comes to solving the coronavirus problem, nonprofits are an essential part of the equation, and United Way of the Plains is a good partner to have, Whipple said.

“They’re battle-tested, and they have that experience of helping people in their time of need,” Whipple said.

Calling 2-1-1, United Way’s hotline, will also allow people with supplies they’re willing to donate, such as sanitizer and cleaning products, or who want to volunteer to do so.

Pat Hanrahan, president and CEO of United Way of the Plains, said his organization is happy to help and has the experience needed to handle crisis situations.

“It feels very familiar and similar to when we go through a natural disaster like a tornado,” Hanrahan said. “But it’s a little bit different.”

“We’re just going to be in general prepared and ready as a variety of issues may surface as we go through these days and weeks,” Hanrahan said.

Hanrahan said the most needed supplies are likely to be supplies for cleaning and disinfecting. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to United Way of the Plains can earmark it for the COVID-19 outbreak by adding “pandemic” or “coronavirus” to the check’s memo line.

“This is exactly what the 2-1-1 system is designed to do, to get information to those people who need that information,” Hanrahan said. “They can also call 2-1-1 if they want to volunteer to take supplies out to someone.

“That’s what our mission’s all about, and that’s why we’re here,” Hanrahan said.

This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 5:02 PM.