Social services demand soars

In one more sign of Snohomish County’s struggling economy, calls to the Community Information Line, a hotline connecting people with social service agencies, have increased 21 percent in the past year.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen that kind of growth happening, the increased volume of phone calls,” said Bill Brackin, program director for the information service.

The hotline, run by Volunteers of America, answered 15,264 phone calls from people seeking information about county social services and programs during the 12-month period ending June 30. That was up from 12,566 the previous year.

The information line assists callers with a range of questions, including where they can donate items or volunteer.

However, the majority of callers are low-income “or going through some kind of personal crisis and need some kind of help,” Brackin said. “They’re financially strapped, emotionally having a challenge, needing legal assistance, something like that.”

No one knows exactly why the number of calls started increasing in August 2003, he said. But some of the most often-asked questions have been about how to get assistance with rent or utility bills, indicating that the callers are having financial troubles.

Everett, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Stanwood, Edmonds, Lynnwood, and Mountlake Terrace were the areas with the biggest increase in phone calls over the previous year, Brackin said.

“My staff tells me we’ve got a whole lot of people losing their homes or having trouble making mortgage payments and rent,” he said.

The most recent state information shows the jobless rate in Snohomish County at 6.2 percent.

Other agencies have seen similar high demand. For example, in early January so many people sought help with their heating bills that staff at Snohomish County’s Energy Assistance Office were booked through the second week in March.

At Pathways for Women YWCA, the volume of calls has increased so much “we aren’t able to call back every household that needs to receive services,” said Mary Anne Dillon, housing director.

A year ago, the agency received about 300 phone calls per month. This month, it’s on pace to receive 1,000 calls, she said.

“It’s safe to say the phone calls have increased by three times,” Dillon said.

Callers “have tried to maintain their household and keep up with bills, and they have exhausted all their resources,” she said.

Area food banks have reported a 3 percent increase in requests this year from individuals and families for food, said Virginia Sprague, who runs the Volunteers of America food warehouse in Everett, which supplies 19 area food banks.

Despite increasing demand, food donations have dropped this year by about 500,000 pounds, she said.

With another school year about to begin, Sprague said she gets about 50 calls a day asking for help with school clothing and supplies.

“I don’t see it letting up, quite honestly,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a consistent message. The need is continuing to grow out there.”

To call

The number for the Community Information Line is 425-258-4227 or 800-223-8145. The line operates 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To call

The number for the Community Information Line is 425-258-4227 or 800-223-8145. The line operates 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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