When a child goes to school hungry or a senior citizen worries how they’ll afford their next meal—hope can feel just out of reach. It is in challenging moments like these that food assistance in Orange County is more than a service; it’s a lifeline.
With food insecurity on the rise, thousands of Orange County residents are turning to one place for help: 2-1-1 Orange County (211OC). Through compassionate listening and swift connections to local resources, 211OC turns uncertainty into a path forward, reminding every caller that they are not alone and that their story has room for hope.
211OC: A Local Helpline and Resource Hub
To keep our community safe, strong, and resilient, we must ensure our residents have access to necessary and reliable resources. That is the primary focus of 211OC, a key service offered by Orange County United Way. It is both a helpline and resource hub connecting Orange County residents with the critical support and assistance they need.
211OC is free and available 24/7. The service connects people to real help with food, housing, mental health, childcare, financial support, and much more.
“211 is often the first place people turn when they’re unsure where to go for help,” explains Amy Arambulo, Director, Community Impact for 2-1-1 Orange County. “It gives people a clear starting point in moments that feel overwhelming. It’s a welcoming entry point to the entire health and human services system. And it ensures no one has to navigate tough circumstances on their own.”
Addressing the Most Critical Community Needs
211OC is about more than just connecting individuals to services. It’s also a critical tool that provides information on local issues and service gaps. The data collected through 211OC’s helpline allows Orange County United Way to identify emerging trends and unmet needs.
This information is invaluable in informing Orange County United Way’s efforts. It enables the proactive development of new programs, initiatives, and partnerships to fill those gaps and provide holistic support to the community.
The data is also crucial for local nonprofits and government agencies as it highlights critical community needs. This helps inform policies, funding, and decision-making.
Currently, the most common requests from 211OC callers are regarding financial support, food insecurity, and homelessness. Equipped with this data, Orange County United Way can quickly mobilize resources, strengthen collaborations with local nonprofits and government agencies, and implement new programs to address these critical needs.
211OC Responds to Emerging Crisis
In November of 2025, the government shutdown caused a delay in CalFresh and SNAP benefits. As a result, food assistance in Orange County became the top request from 211OC callers.
Hundreds of thousands of families were impacted. In just two weeks, the 211OC team handled more than 7,000 calls, chats, and texts. These came from residents looking for food assistance in Orange County. These numbers represent a significant increase in food assistance requests from the previous year.
In fact, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, food assistance in Orange County significantly surpassed housing requests.
“This surge reflected the intense pressure the CalFresh/SNAP delays placed on families across the county,” said Amy. “Our 211OC team quickly pivoted to meet the spike in food needs. We kept service levels steady, providing reliable connections to emergency resources such as food pantries and financial assistance.”
Improving Coordinated Care in Orange County
In times of crisis, whether that be delayed food stamps, a natural disaster like the wildfires earlier this year, or a personal emergency like job loss, 211OC acts as the county’s go-to resource hub.
With a comprehensive database of more than 3,000 local health and social service programs, 211OC is able to provide accurate and personalized guidance on which services can best meet someone’s specific needs.
It also streamlines the coordinated care system and improves outcomes for both residents and social service providers.
For an individual, that means they only have to make a single phone call in order to be connected to multiple resources. One of 211OC’s highly trained specialists will work one-on-one with each caller to assess their situation, provide expert referrals, and ensure they are connected to the right resources.
Not only does this save time, it also ensures referrals are reliable and up-to-date. For example, during the government shutdown, 211OC remained in close communication with local food banks. This enabled them to direct residents to locations with ample food and avoid ones that were low on supplies.
For service providers, it provides a comprehensive picture of how to help an individual or family. It also ensures no one slips through the cracks.
“Our partnership with 211OC has amplified our ability to reach those who need us most,” said Tatiana Bojorquez, Community Outreach Director, Helping Hands Senior Foundation. “211OC serves as a trusted bridge between our services and the community. Their centralized database and helpline make it easy for people to discover our programs. And the credibility of being part of the 211OC partner network reinforces trust in our organization.”
Ensuring Everyone Has the Support They Need
By serving as the front door to social services, 211OC and Orange County United Way are working to ensure that no one in Orange County has to face life’s challenges alone.
“I often think back to my childhood and how much 211 would have helped my single-parent household as we navigated things like living paycheck to paycheck and keeping the lights on,” shared Amy. “Those experiences shaped me. They made me realize how powerful it is to have someone to guide you when you don’t know where to turn. That’s why I feel called to this work today. At 211, we make sure no one has to struggle alone, and there’s always someone offering hope during the toughest moments.”
What to expect when you call 2-1-1
When someone calls the 211OC helpline, a highly trained specialist listens with empathy, assesses the need, and connects them to trusted local resources.
Whether it’s help paying rent and utilities, finding mental health resources, or accessing food assistance in Orange County, all information shared is confidential.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, don’t hesitate to call 2-1-1. The 211OC team is standing by 24/7 to provide the support and resources you need.
Looking for food assistant in Orange County?
- Check local food resources
- Or call 2-1-1 to be connected to help
Want to help ensure everyone in Orange County has access to critical resources?
If you are an Orange County service provider and want to join our 211OC Partner Network, contact: Belisa Davis, MS, APCC, Manager, Partner Engagement at BelisaD@UnitedWayOC.org
