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Dialing 211 makes it simpler to find help

Dialing 911 is a well-known way to summon emergency responders, whether police, firefighters or an ambulance.

But how about when in need of other help or assistance?

Fortunately, another three-digit number is available in Michigan and Wisconsin, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

That number is 211.

211 is a free, confidential service that connects callers to local community-based organizations.

If you need help for yourself, a neighbor or a loved one, call 211 or search the 211 website to find out where to turn.

When you dial 211, you automatically reach a contact specialist to assess your situation, help you locate services when and where available and provide answers to your questions.

Each contact center is connected to data bases that provide access to thousands of agencies offering programs and services.

Your question for 211 may be as dire as having no money to pay a utility bill — or as simple as needing a flu shot.

In his February 2017 monthly summary, Dickinson County Sheriff Scott Rutter reported the dispatch center received 448 calls to 911. The center also handled 2,461 calls to its non-emergency number, some of which could have been better placed to 211.

In the Upper Peninsula region, the 211 call center is staffed by the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress, or UPCAP. This easy to remember phone number saves time and frustration by eliminating the need to navigate a maze of agencies and help lines.

If you need help, and you’re not sure who to call, dial 211.

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