Feb. 11 is PA 211 Day, a day to celebrate United Way's 211 help line for Pennsylvania residents.

The help line is a free, confidential, 24-hour information and referral service that connects 85 percent of Pennsylvanians with health and human services. Residents can also text their ZIP code to "TXT211" to connect to the help they need.In 2016, Pennsylvania's top five areas of need included rent payment assistance, electric assistance, tax preparation assistance, gas service payment assistance and food pantry access. Help line information and referral specialists are trained to listen, assess the situation, ask the appropriate questions, and then refer the caller directly to the human services that will comprehensively address their needs. The 211 specialist explains how to access those services, offering a translation service for more than 170 different languages, if needed.United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley has been providing referral services since 2000 and has been a part of the 211 program for more than 20 years.For more information, visit PA211East.org.