So if you're looking for counseling, or non-urgent medical care, 211 can probably help. The United Way of greater St. Louis launched 211 service for most of the state Tuesday.

Local branches from around the state help the organization keep a database of the services available in any given community.

"Something we like to say you dial 911 for sirens and 211 for services," said 2-1-1 Resource Specialist Haley Schwarz. "If you are looking for help for shelter, you can dial 2-1-1. If you need job preparation, counseling courses, you can dial 2-1-1."

Almost anyone with a land line can make the call, except people in Cole and Moniteau counties.

"Because we do, in Missouri, have a number of phone companies, and a number of providers, it's just kind of a movement across the state as to how the system has been rolled out," said Linda McAnany of the United Way.

In addition to those counties, its important to know that cell phone users statewide can't dial 2-1-1.

The United Way plans to handle up to 200,000 2-1-1 calls every year.