Although it has been a year of economic uncertainty, donors to the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania have stepped up to help the organization provide critical support to thousands of the area’s most vulnerable.

The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania announced on Thursday that it raised $43.4 million across the organization’s five counties in its annual fundraising campaign.

The funds will be used to support regional agencies working to improve access to basic needs, provide direct financial assistance to help individuals and families stay afloat, invest in programs that help break the cycle of generational poverty, supply meals to those who need them and more.

Campaign dollars also fund the United Way’s regional 211 helpline, which answered calls from 135,000 at-risk individuals over the last year.

The funds raised also support programs that alleviate financial burdens for families living paycheck to paycheck, provide safe and engaging educational environments for students, and impact lives in various ways in each community in the region.

“We can’t express enough how appreciative we are to our partners, leaders, volunteers, donors and everyone who has lent a hand and committed their time to ensure another remarkable campaign to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Bobbi Watt Geer, president and CEO at United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

She attributed the 7% increase over last year largely on the 670 workplace campaigns carried out in the five counties.