SEATTLE - Calls for rental assistance to Washington's 2-1-1 helpline are double what they were a year ago and demand at food banks is unprecedented. That's why United Way organizations across Western Washington are teaming up for a first-of-it's kind social media campaign called "Give 10/Tell 10."
Give ten dollars and tell 10 friends about the campaign. The organizations are hoping people will spread the word through social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Lauren McGowan is the Associate Director of Ending Homelessness for United Way of King County. She says the premise behind the new Give 10/Tell 10 Campaign is simple.
"Because people in our community right now are struggling to meet their basic needs," said McGowan.
Donors can choose one of five United Way chapter to which to donate: Snohomish, King, Pierce, Thurston or Kitsap county.
Food bank recipient, Lynn Sereda, has seen the increased need first hand. She's one of thousands more people each month visiting the Rainier Valley Food Bank which relies, in part, on United Way donations.
"Coming here once a week is really, is a big benefit to me. It makes an incredible difference," said Sereda.
The money raised will go to fund various agencies that help people in need.
"Emergency funds that can help them stay in their homes, keep the lights on and put food on the table," said McGowan.
Aside from the campaign's Twitter and Facebook accounts, Comcast is running public service announcements on television. This is the first time multiple United Ways have partnered to run a campaign regionally.
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