Neckerman Foundation Donates $35K to United Way Food Program

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The William M. Neckerman Jr. Charitable Foundation has donated $35,000 to United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley to support the nonprofit’s Satur-Day of Caring.

The program, started in response to the coronavirus pandemic, has volunteers deliver food to children and families who are at particular risk of contracting the virus. The funds will also be used to buy and distribute grocery store gift cards to students in need.

“The Neckerman trustees, Jim Sisek and Rye Dalton, were the first to reach out to me back in March. They immediately wanted to help the children and make sure they did not go without food,” said United Way President Bob Hannon in a statement. “We could not do the work we’ve done these past six months without the support of the Neckerman Foundation. They are relentless with their support and passion to help the children of our Valley.”

In March, the Neckerman Foundation donated $25,000 to the United Way to ensure that students did not go hungry when schools began remote learning in the spring. In total, the United Way worked with 19 school districts to distribute grocery store gift cards to more than 1,000 students.

“Our responsibility is to maintain the legacy and generosity of Bill Neckerman,” said foundation trustees Jim Sisek and Rye Dalton in a joint statement.  “We are confident in United Way’s ability to feed the children, which we know was a passion for our friend Bill.”

Pictured: United Way volunteers fill packages of food that will be delivered to those in need as part of the agency’s Satur-Day of Caring program.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.