United Way launches COVID-19 impact survey for community feedback

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHPM-TV)- United ways across the state are asking households to complete a survey to assess the economic impact COVID-19 has had on them.

The organization says that survey responses are confidential and will cover a wide range of topics including job changes, childcare challenges, and other economic changes Mississippi families are navigating.

Filling out the survey will help local nonprofits and agencies continue relief efforts for the pine belt area following the pandemic.

Director of Community Impact for United Way Kari Lynn Besing says the organization needs help from the community to get the most accurate data possible of people in need.

"We're asking anyone and everyone in the state of Mississippi to just share a little bit about how they've been impacted by COVID-19, and so this might be what does your child care look like, what did your employment look like during the pandemic, and how did you use your stimulus check or what was your savings like and how have you been impacted economically and all of these things will then go towards committees, organizations, government entities as they are making decisions to best help our communities rebuilding from COVID-19."

The pandemic has substantially interrupted the lives of families across Mississippi and put a strain on financial stability for many. The survey serves as a way to better understand the needs of the communities across the board.

"It's incredibly important to hear from an array of people in our community and have diversity in the results so that way we can better help specific communities and make more equitable change in the face of COVID-19, but it's also important for the sake of everyone has a different experience based on how their lives were impacted even before COVID-19. We just want to better understand how we can help every community."

Besing says the survey only takes about 10 minutes to complete online and no personal information is required to participate.

United Way of Southeast Mississippi partners with 21 member agencies and program to improve the health, education, and financial stability of communities.

Click here to take the survey.

For more information on United Way of Southeast Mississippi, call 601-545-7141.