Heat, Hunger, and Hard Choices

When the heat rises in Rhode Island, so do the calls to 211. Behind every call is a caregiver, a senior, or a family facing an impossible choice.

“We get calls from people who are housed but can’t afford air conditioning,” says Marleny Perez, a 211 Call Center Manager. “They’re disabled or elderly. They’re afraid to cook because it overheats the apartment. They ask, ‘Where can I go during the hottest part of the day? Where can I get a meal without turning on the stove?’”

This summer, the need is more urgent, and the resources are fewer. Between May and July 20, 211 made 97 referrals for cooling assistance, most often pointing callers to cooling centers. With no local or federal programs distributing air conditioners or fans this year, 211 now refers people to furniture banks and voucher programs like the Salvation Army or Rhode Island’s Donation/Exchange Program.

The number of unmet needs has climbed."

Cristina Amedeo, Senior Director of Community Services at United Way of Rhode Island, sees the ripple effect. “The number of unmet needs has climbed. We’ve already had nearly 2,000 requests for food, housing, and utilities support in 2025, and the hottest part of the summer is just starting now.”

Food insecurity intensifies when school is out. To help families bridge the gap, 211 connects them to the Summer EBT program and nearly 100 local meal sites through the Sandbox initiative.

When families fall just outside the lines of traditional assistance, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund (GNEF) steps in. James, a warehouse worker in Woonsocket, didn’t qualify for Low Income Home Energy tance Program and was facing a winter shutoff. GNEF helped him keep the lights on and keep his daughter warm throughout the cold New England winter.

Every call to 211 reveals deeper challenges. “It’s like an onion,” says Michael Cerio of United Way of Rhode Island. “You start with one issue and uncover many more.” Through it all, 211 remains a trusted first step for Rhode Islanders looking for support.