When the Line Wrapped Around the Block-- A Wake-Up Call for Philanthropy
Driving to work one morning in late winter, I saw something that stopped me cold. As I turned onto a road I take every day, traffic was backed up—odd for that time of day. But this wasn’t a construction delay or an accident. Every car ahead of me was slowly turning into the Omaha Food Bank parking lot. The line was so long it had spilled into the main road, and I realized: these weren’t commuters. These were families, individuals, neighbors—lining up for food.
I’d never seen anything like it before. And while I’ve long worked in philanthropy, that visual made something crystal clear: the need in our communities isn’t just growing—it’s visible now, undeniable.
That morning came to mind again when I read a recent report in The NonProfit Times highlighting that in 2024, the 211 national helpline network handled 16.8 million calls, texts, and online chats—1.4 million more than the year before. That’s about 32 people every minute reaching out for help with housing, food, and utilities. Nearly half of all referrals were for those three basic needs.
Housing-related requests alone are up 16% compared to 2022. Food assistance referrals have increased by 5%. And these numbers don’t just reflect “statistics”—they represent people sitting in cars on cold mornings, waiting for a box of food to get through the week.
211 is a powerful network, supported by United Way Worldwide and accessible to 99% of the U.S. and Canada in over 180 languages. It connects people with vital local services. But even this lifeline is being tested under the pressure of growing community needs.
Philanthropy has always mattered. But today, it’s a lifeline, not a luxury. This isn't about feel-good giving. It's about sustaining the safety net that so many are relying on, often for the first time in their lives.
The visual of that long line at the food bank wasn’t just a moment—it was a reminder. We are all closer to crisis than we may think. Whether it's from inflation, housing instability, or a medical emergency, the support structures that philanthropy sustains are essential.
We need to view philanthropy not as charity, but as infrastructure—as critical as roads, schools, and emergency services. Because behind every call to 211, and behind every car in that line, is a story of someone reaching out, hoping someone on the other side is listening.
Let’s make sure we are.
