Rather than mapping out the most efficient route through the East Pittsburgh Street Shop ’n Save in Greensburg on Monday evening, Renee Sasanko spent her time deciding on a nonprofit organization that would benefit from a $750 donation.

The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s annual fundraiser, which normally sends one person racing through the aisles of a Charley Family Shop ’n Save to collect hundreds of dollars worth of food in three minutes, was reduced to a simple check donation because of the coronavirus pandemic.

For the second year in a row, the Westmoreland County Food Bank was the beneficiary, which will use the money to purchase food for families in need.

“I had volunteered at the food bank before, and they were low on donations, so I thought that would be a good cause, a worthy cause,” said Sasanko, 58, of Latrobe.

Sasanko, a drafter at the Elliott Group in Jeannette, was able to participate in the fundraiser through the United Way’s donor prize program. After donating to the nonprofit organization through Elliott’s campaign, she was added to a pool of almost 3,000 people who qualified for the event.

Jennifer Miller, CEO of the Westmoreland County Food Bank, was met by Sasanko, members of the United Way and Mike and Tom Charley, store owners, who presented her with the gift certificate. Another $250 gift certificate was presented to Sasanko.

The donation is typically based on how much food is collected during the shopping spree. This year, funds were determined by averaging out donations over the past few years.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect and this was a great surprise,” said Miller, who was told to come to the Greensburg store to meet with a donor.

Donations at the Delmont-based organization have been sparse as people follow social distancing mandates and stock up on food in case of another shutdown. But with unemployment rates skyrocketing this year and more people in need due to the pandemic, donations are more important.

“These are people that have never had to ask for help before,” said Miller of the importance of the donation. “It’s different, it’s so different, and the disparity we hear in people’s voices when there’s shortages on product or things they really need, it’s just heart wrenching, so this will go a long way to help somebody in need.”

The Charley family has participated in the event for more than 10 years. For Tom Charley, it’s a way to give back to people in need while supporting the community. He noted that, every Saturday since the shutdown took place this spring, store owners have purchased about 110 meals from a different local restaurant who may be struggling.

Next week, the family will purchase meals from restaurants every day until the new year.

“Any way, shape or form we can help the community out, that’s what we’re looking to do,” he said.

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