Looking for job opportunities in the area, a health clinic or volunteer opportunities? You can simply dial 2-1-1.

This hotline, which is offered by the United Way of Kansas City, can connect you to resources that are everyday needs.

United Way of Greater Kansas City covers 23 counties in Kansas and Missouri and 2-1-1 hotlines are individually operated across the country.

As of 2014, United Way Worldwide covers 91 percent of the U.S. population, according to Keeley Stalnaker, resource specialist for United Way 2-1-1.

“We have staff of highly trained call specialists who are skilled at assessing needs and finding resources,” Stalnaker said.

Like other hotlines, 2-1-1 is free and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The 4-1-1 hotline is directory assistance and 9-1-1 is for emergency services.

But, 2-1-1 offers information and referrals. Stalnaker said the hotline offers 150 language interpretations.

There are over 9,000 services offered by 2-1-1, Stalnaker said. Help finding health care, benefit programs, home repairs, credit counseling, GED programs, scholarships, volunteer opportunities, job training and transportation are just a short list of 2-1-1 services.

“We provide the caller with information on the services they request,” said Scott Jones, vice president of community services.

Jones said this would be information such as the agency name, address, phone number, operating hours and days, documentation needed, whether agency is walk-in or call ahead, and any eligibility criteria.

“I called to find volunteer opportunities in Parkville,” said Katie Knoche, a senior at Park University.

Knoche said the call specialist set her up with a volunteer coordinator.

“She was really friendly and helpful and it was more direct than searching the web,” she said.

The volunteer coordinator gave Knoche a list of local organizations in need of volunteers, their numbers and a description of the volunteer duties.

In 2014, United Way 2-1-1 had over 160,000 contacts from people who needed help finding community resources, according to Jones.

He said the number one most called about service was electric service payment assistance.

This was almost four times as much as the second leading called about service, which was for food pantries.

Jones provided other reports for calls by top five counties. Jackson County was number one with 61,869 calls. Next was Wyandotte County with 7,552 calls.

United Way Worldwide declared February 11 National 2-1-1 Day. Last week, Parkville joined in by proclaiming the day United Way 2-1-1 Day of Awareness in Parkville. Jones said the day was established to celebrate and raise awareness of what 2-1-1 is.

“2-1-1 is always presented to organizations around the metro during the United Way campaign each year,” said Jones.

In other efforts to raise awareness, 2-1-1 attends many fairs in the community.

These fairs are usually resource fairs, health fairs, emergency management fairs, Veterans Fairs and fairs focusing on older adults, Jones said.

They also spread marketing materials and utilize social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter.

Visit uwgkc.bowmansystems.com to find out more information about 2-1-1, to see a full list of services offered or to search for a specific service.

Call “211” to speak to a call specialist for information and referrals.