KNOXVILLE - On Feb. 11, 2026, the City of Knoxville and United Way of Greater Knoxville will recognize National 2-1-1 Day to highlight 2-1-1, a nationally available helpline that connects people in East Tennessee to essential community resources during times of crisis and everyday need.

The Henley Bridge lighting will be blue, gold and red in honor of National 2-1-1 Day on the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 11, and to bring awareness to this critical community resource.

In 2025, 2-1-1 facilitated 42,498 referrals across East Tennessee, with the highest levels of need related to housing stability, utility assistance and food access. Compared to 2024, call volume increased by more than 80 percent, reflecting the growing challenges East Tennesseans face.

"Kindness and knowledge matter – and both are critically important when it comes to helping people who dial 2-1-1," Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said. "2-1-1 is a lifeline that people across East Tennessee depend on. When families need help, we're going to be there for them."

By dialing 2-1-1, callers are connected with trained Community Resource Specialists who help assess needs and identify appropriate local services. Additional information and tools are available at easttn211.communityos.org. All calls and access to web-based resources are free and confidential. Individuals seeking assistance can utilize the 2-1-1 chat support 24/7.

“2-1-1 is a critical community resource that helps connect people to the support they need, when they need it,” United Way of Greater Knoxville President and CEO Chrystal Armstrong Brown said. “While it is part of a nationally available network, its localized presence and impact here in East Tennessee exist because of a strong public-private partnership between the City of Knoxville, United Way and our community partners, all working together to help our neighbors.”

The 2-1-1 call center, operated by the City of Knoxville and supported by United Way of Greater Knoxville and United Ways of East Tennessee, serves residents in 24 counties, including Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Washington and Hamblen.

Residents in East Tennessee can dial 2-1-1 or call 865-215-4211 for assistance. 2-1-1 maintains the nation’s largest directory of health and human services resources, with more than 1.6 million programs updated annually, helping ensure people are connected to support available in their own communities.

To access 2-1-1 services, please go to easttn211.communityos.org.

For more information from United Way of Greater Knoxville and City of Knoxville, respectively.