Everyone knows to dial 911 in an emergency and most people know to call 811 before digging to protect underground utility lines.

But the Pennsylvania United Way is looking to spread the word on 211, which is a helpline that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Reasons to call 211 could include help with food or utilities, tax return assistance, unaffordable household basics like a hot water heater or furnace, job training guidance, care for an aging parent or any other tough situation encountered in life.

Sunday, Feb. 11, is being recognized by the state United Way as 211 Day, according to a news release from the organization's Harrisburg office.

Butler County is the second-highest user of 211 in the 11-county southwestern Pennsylvania area.

While Allegheny County residents used 211 the most with 45,106 calls in 2016, Butler County came in second at 8,531 calls, according to the 211 Southwest's annual report.

Mary Ann Eisenreich, interim executive director at the United Way of Butler County, said she previously worked in social services providing job training and placement for single mothers.

She said if clients needed food, child care or any other services, she would have clients call 211 right from her office. Sometimes Eisenreich and her colleagues called 211 to find out where to direct the single mothers with whom they came in contact.

“It's fabulous,” Eisenreich said. “211 is a great service.”

She said calls to 211 have varied from homeless pregnancy support to bus service to Pittsburgh, how to contact the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program or the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, how to get a medical alert device, how to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the location of the closest food pantry, and everything in between.

In addition to guiding callers with the services they request, 211 operators also ask each caller a series of questions regarding their needs, like access to food, heat and shelter.

Eisenreich said the county United Way is promoting 211 Day on social media and asking regular donors to alert two people each of 211 on Sunday.

“We're blasting it out over email to between 800 and 1,000 people,” she said.

Eisenreich is determined to spread the word throughout the county.

“211 seems to be a well-kept secret here and we need to make sure it's no longer a secret,” Eisenreich said, “because we can help a lot of people.”