AUGUSTA, Ga. - A report just released shows more than 181,000 job cuts were announced in November.

That's up 61 percent from October and it's 148 percent higher than one year ago. But there are resources to help you if you lose your job.

Bagging food is something Patricia Sease does more often these days.

She's the Assistant Director of the Shiloh Community Center where food donations have tripled since the economy soured and there are other needs.

"They're asking for help with their light bill, mortgages, rent and we don't have those services here," said Sease.

But United Way Director Nancy Szocinski knows who can help. She gets paid to point the jobless and other needy people in the right direction by running 211 an emergency assistance line.

She says calling 211 is the first thing you should do if you lose your job and need help.

"There's no guarantee that we will have what you need, but we're a good place to start," said Szocinski.

She says agencies like The Department of Family and Children Services, Beulah Grove Baptist Church and the Salvation Army can help those who qualify pay the mortgage.

Other programs assist with utilities, rent and help put Christmas gifts under the tree, even job training.

Al Chandler runs the Richmond Burke County Job Training Authority.

"We train people for jobs that can be employed by local industry," said Chandler.

Teaching the jobless how to succeed again and giving them what they need until they find a new job.

The United Way says calls to 211 have increased by more than 50 percent this year.

In fact this Monday they had the most calls they've ever had in one day about 120. Signs they say of how the economy is impacting our area.

If you need help you can call 211 from phone in the area.