Lost a job? Facing foreclosure or eviction? There are places to turn for help. Click here for services and resources that can get you back on your feet. You can also call the 2-1-1 community information line.

As the economy tumbled last fall, thousands of people in King County lost their jobs. Others saw their hours slashed. The threat of foreclosure loomed for some. Others were challenged with covering their rent, paying their utilities, and keeping food on the table.

Helping meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable in our community is at the heart of our work every day at United Way of King County. As the needs surged, we knew that we had to do more. The frontline organizations that we support were in a vise: more call for their services, and lessened resources.

We turned to the community and asked for additional contributions to aid overwhelmed food banks, rental assistance programs, and other services that help our neighbors in greatest distress. The outpouring of generosity was extraordinary, and we've now been able to direct nearly $4 million in additional funding to the community. Get details here.

Conditions remain hard, with recent statistics for King County showing:

• 98,630 people out of work, compared to 45,480 a year ago.
• 180% increase in foreclosures.
• 4,099 calls to 2-1-1 about rental assistance, up from 2,045 a year earlier.
• 180,931 monthly visits to food banks, versus 154,672 a year ago.

Given the continued harsh toll being taken by economy, our Response for Basic Needs will continue.

We will build on our past assistance to hunger organizations and housing stability programs. Additionally, with an eye to reaching even more of the most vulnerable, we will mobilize resources for informal faith-based services, for volunteerism, and for a campaign to help struggling families and individuals become more aware of available help. In the next phase we intend to raise $2 million.

Click here for full details of what United Way of King County will be doing to meet the increased basic needs in our community.

Give to our Response for Basic Needs and help provide housing, food and access to critical services for struggling individuals and families.

As of October, 2009

The rallying of the community has been extraordinary. So many have generously given what they can, and it's made a tremendously positive impact in providing food, shelter and hope for tens of thousands of men, women and children in need.

Givers of $10,000 and up include the following
listed in descending order of gift amount

Individuals & Foundations
Bruce and Jeannie Nordstrom
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Joshua Green Foundation
Theresa E. Gillespie and John W. Stanton
Quiet Harbor Trust Fund
Medina Foundation
The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
Blake and Molly Nordstrom
Raikes Foundation
Alison and Glen Milliman
Estate of Robert D. and Dorothy S. O’Brien
Ed and Marjorie Ringness
Tom Alberg and Judi Beck
Norman Archibald Charitable Foundation
Jon Fine and Paula Selis
Nick and Leslie Hanauer
Donna Sakson and Jonathan Mark
Craig Ueland

And three donors who wish to remain anonymous.

Corporations
Microsoft
Costco Wholesale
Bank of America
JPMorgan Chase and Co.
City of Seattle
The Boeing Company
Puget Sound Energy
Safeco Insurance
The Seattle Foundation
Virginia Mason Medical Center
Starbucks Coffee Company
Wells Fargo
Dorsey & Whitney Foundation
KeyBank
King 5
Washington Athletic Club
Washington Federal Savings

We also acknowledge our partner, The Seattle Foundation, whose Building Resilience Fund is a closely allied response to the turbulent economy.