Correspondent photo / Sean Barron Gabby Pantelakis, a Canfield High School freshman, stands next to a banner announcing the $3,389,482 the United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning County raised last year. Pantelakis is among the volunteers who assist with a UW program to get food to people in need.

YOUNGSTOWN — Despite the myriad challenges the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley faced last year because of the pandemic, the agency exceeded its fundraising goal.

“It was our second-best campaign ever,” Bob Hannon, United Way’s president, said during a news conference Tuesday in the agency’s newly renovated building, located at 255 Watt St. in the city’s downtown. “People give back in the Mahoning Valley.”

The UW of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley’s 2020 campaign raised $3,389,482 for the community, which topped its goal of $2.5 million, Hannon noted.

To compensate for the annual events that were postponed and the uncertainty of many workplace campaigns last spring because of the health crisis, United Way pivoted its priorities to align with addressing needs directly related to the pandemic, he explained.

For example, the agency, in partnership with the Ed Muransky family and Southwoods Health in Boardman, launched the Satur-Day of Caring initiative last April to deliver food to senior citizens and families each Saturday who were unable or advised not to go out because of COVID-19 concerns. Beforehand, the entities compiled a list of those to whose homes food could be directly delivered, Hannon said, noting that about 300 families received food within eight weeks.

Among the Satur-Day of Caring volunteers was Gabby Pantelakis, a Canfield High School freshman who, along with her brother, helped organize, pack and unload food for families in need.

“It made me realize that a few people can make a difference in the community,” she said. Recipients “look just like all of us.”

As the initiative gained traction, the UW provided relief funding to the Salvation Army, Gleaners Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley and many other of its partner agencies, Hannon recalled.

Also assisting the UW’s fundraising efforts last year was a total of $112,500 from the William M. Neckerman Jr. and Jane F. Lamb charitable foundations. In addition, the agency secured $325,000 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars, courtesy of the Mahoning County Commissioners office, he noted.

Also vital to the agency’s work last year was a crop of high school and college-aged volunteers and donors, some of whom placed their own health at risk for those the United Way serves. For example, the UW hosted a food drive at the Covelli Centre that benefited 750 families, and at which the entire Youngstown State University football team and coaching staff participated, Hannon continued.

The combined generosity, volunteer hours and care of many individuals, businesses and donors allowed the 101-year-old agency to weather the storms in 2020 brought about by the ongoing pandemic, said Kevin Helmick, Farmers National Bank’s president and chief executive officer who also served as last year’s campaign chairman.

“When we started the 2020 campaign, we knew there would be unforeseen challenges,” Helmick said in a statement. “Looking back, it was a win-win for our community due to the philanthropic pledges of so many. This support will make a difference for many families and children in the Mahoning Valley.”

Hannon added that he predicts this year will be challenging for the agency but also expressed confidence volunteers and others will come through.