United Ways across Western Washington and Comcast launched a campaign Nov. 4 to raise awareness and money for basic needs.

Money raised through the campaign will go toward needs such as food and shelter for people across the region this holiday season, according to United Way.

The campaign, called Give 10 Tell 10, asks people to make a small contribution and then ask at least 10 of their friends to do the same. Participants are asked to spread the word using social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook.

A donation of $10 would provide food for a family for six days and $25 can give someone a week’s supply of food and a night of shelter, according to United Way.

“We’re launching this campaign for one simple reason: the need in Western Washington is overwhelming right now,” said Deborah Squires, of United Way of Snohomish County. “It’s been an incredibly hard year for many people in Puget Sound and if we give a little, we can help a lot of people have hope.”

The Give 10 campaign is the first time local United Ways have used social media networks to raise money in a collaborative way, according to United Way. Comcast will run regional public service announcements on a variety of cable networks to support the campaign.

“While United Ways are all independent, we certainly share a focus on providing for basic needs such as food, housing and transportation and helping people become more self-sufficient,” said Carl Zapora, president and CEO of United Way of Snohomish County. “Collaborating on a project like the Give 10 campaign strengthens the ability of each United Way to meet that mission. People’s lives don’t stop at the county line, the media market doesn’t stop at the county line and certainly the need doesn’t.”

For more information or to donate online, go to www.unitedwaypugetsound.org.

Follow the campaign on Facebook by searching for “Give 10.” Follow it on Twitter at www.twitter.com/give10.