YOUNGSTOWN — Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley is approaching county commissioners in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties to ask for COVID-19 relief funds.

It’s a proactive measure: Although the height of the pandemic might be past, the food bank sees an opportunity with COVID-19 relief funds to ensure there is assistance as people continue to make requests for food.

At the same time, Second Harvest is using portions of a $3 million gift to address partner agencies’ aging equipment, as well as food and looking at serving underserved areas, its executive director Mike Iberis said.

“We’re asking for COVID money for our pantries for the purpose of only food,” Iberis said. “This gives the commissioners an opportunity to invest in the pantries that service the people in their county all year long.”

Read more about these funding requests and how the food bank is using a $3 million donation from Mackenzie Scott in Sunday’s Vindicator.