IMPACT 211 is a free, confidential hotline that people can call for help with basic needs in southeastern Wisconsin. In addition to helping with food and housing support, the calls to 211 provide a snapshot of the region’s social safety net. 

John Hyatt leads the organization, and Bob Waite handles data collection. The two say that the word of the year for 2025 is “uncertainty” - as calls for basic needs have jumped over 100-percent in some areas, and organizations that provide resources for these needs face uncertain financial futures. 

Lake Effect’s Sam Woods is joined by Hyatt and Waite to discuss what they’ve seen in 2025, and what they expect in 2026.