The United Way of Mower County continues to improve its efforts every year, but not without the help of the community.

At its annual meeting Tuesday night at the Hormel Historic Home, the local United Way announced it set another fundraising record. Community individuals and businesses helped the organization raise $1,040,000 to help fund local projects and aid citizens for the 2012 fiscal year.

That total surpasses the 2010-2011 effort by more than $10,000.

And many local companies, including Hormel Foods Corp., Quality Pork Producers and others, all raised their campaign pledges as well.

“The support of the community continues to amaze us,” said United Way Executive Director Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt.

People are recognizing the difference United Way is making in the community. Sumner Elementary Principal Sheila Berger spoke to United Way staff, board members and volunteers Tuesday about how poverty has been a big issue at Sumner. Yet programs funded by the United Way, like a Red Cross supply donation to the school, have helped more than 50 local families.

Though Berger explained how tough poverty has particularly been on Mower County — currently at about 14.3 percent of the population — she commended the community and United Way for supporting the United Way’s many programs, including four new ones in the last year: a domestic violence class for men, child care through Apple Lane, community programs through the Hormel Historic Home and the personal care shelf through the Red Cross.

The United Way continues to support dozens of other programs, including a community outerwear drive, Get Fit/Be Fit, the annual Day of Caring and more.