Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Peoria area turned out to donate to the Heart of Illinois United Way's annual campaign."We raised over $9.1 million," said Heart of Illinois United Way President Jennifer Zammuto. "And with COVID and everything that happened over the past year, it's a testament to the generosity and thoughtfulness of this community."
The not-for-profit coalition has expanded its relief efforts during the pandemic, with the 211 Information and Referral Service seeing a 200 percent spike in usage since March of last year, when the first COVID-19 case was reported regionally.
That includes a 60 percent increase in food requests, and 30 percent increase in housing assistance referral requests.
"Really, this isn't about United Way. This is about people in need, and the incredible agencies in our community that support them," Zammuto said.
The HOI United Way Home for All Continuum of Care also expanded its services during the pandemic, including coordinating the temporary COVID-19 housing within the Four Points by Sheraton hotel in downtown Peoria.
The Heart of Illinois United Way supports health and human care programs throughout Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Stark, Marshall, and Putnam counties.
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