As Arkansans face hardship, Our House maintains the pandemic hotline

Little Rock, Arkansas – It has endured over time.

People who want assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak characterize Our House’s resource hotline as being like that.

It’s still going strong four years later as Arkansas’s inflation rate keeps rising.

“We still see the value of meeting people right where they are,” Our House Executive Director Ben Goodwin said. “They don’t have to get in their car and drive here.”

Our House started the resource hotline in 2020 because the pandemic prevented people from being together. Calls requesting information on COVID-19 testing, stimulus funding, and vaccinations were received.

“What was born initially out of the pandemic has really stood the test of time and has shown its value,” Goodwin said.

Thousands of people have gotten information from the hotline since then. Our House reported receiving between fifty and sixty calls every day.

“We’ve learned a lot the last four years about how to reach people,” Goodwin said. “Removing barriers is the key.”

As many people continue to face hardships, the hotline is still in place.

The hotline has transformed itself to help people with housing availability, food pantries, and utility support, rather than just responding to inquiries concerning COVID-19. Resources for mental health are also available via the Our House helpline.

The number for the resource hotline is (501) 291-0584. It is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday.