By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania has launched a new, free hotline to help connect people to health and human services organizations.

The new hotline number is 2-1-1. Dialing it connects folks in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey to a variety of services, says Wendy David of United Way:

“Any type of services from basic human type of needs, such as emergency, food or shelter, to physical or mental health services, support for older adults or those with disabilities, for example, Meals on Wheels.”

She says discussions with call specialists are confidential and they will do their best to locate services for anyone who needs it.

Operators are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. For more information, visit 211sepa.org.