United Way of Marion County has welcomed back an old friend to the community, 2-1-1. This free, information and referral service is available 24 hours a day seven days a week to all Marion County residents looking for assistance. 2-1-1 is staffed by trained specialists with multilingual capabilities who quickly assess callers' needs and refer them to the help they seek.

2-1-1 provides callers with information about and referrals to human services for every day needs and in times of crisis. The following types of services are offered: basic human need resources such as food banks, clothing, shelters, rent and utility assistance; physical and mental health resources such as medical information lines, support groups, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention, health insurance programs; employment support such as job training, financial assistance, transportation assistance; support for older Americans and persons with disabilities such as congregate meal sites, respite care, adult day care; support for children, youth and families such as after school programs, Head Start, family resource centers, summer camps, tutoring and protective services as well as volunteer opportunities and where to donate.

In January, the United Way of Marion County partnered with the Heart of Florida United Way in Orlando to provide the 2-1-1 service to Marion County residents. Heart of Florida United Way already provides the service to Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. The decision to partner with a sister United Way resulted in a lower cost solution to provide this needed service in Marion County, at the same time, allow more money to be invested in the annual allocations process.

As of November 2009, 2-1-1 serves more than 241 million Americans (more than 80% of the population) covering all or part of 47 states (including 34 states with 90% coverage.) The remaining states are all in various stages of planning and implementation.