Keystone gets a $450,000 gift from Allianz

Insurance company Allianz Life July 14 announced it will be contributing $450,000 over the next three years to Keystone Community Services. 
The funds will help the nonprofit, which distributes free food to the underserved, combat the rising cost of food and increased need after years of the COVID-19 pandemic and will help the organization reach more people in need.
“Keystone is a trusted partner in the community, helping neighbors increase and maintain their financial stability through food and other critical services, and we’re proud to partner with such a vital resource in the Midway,” said Jasmine Jirele, president and CEO, Allianz Life. “We’re committed to a more equitable and financially secure Twin Cities, and we know working with Keystone we can help make a real difference.” 
With this latest gift, Allianz will aid Keystone in hiring another resource navigator and offering follow-up support. Keystone’s resource navigators help community members find the resources they need for longer-term solutions with things like legal services and education, health care coverage, financial services, and utility assistance. The company had already gifted funds to Keystone in 2020 and 2021 to help fund renovations at their new community food site, the opening of which is targeted for 2023. 
“Keystone’s partnership with Allianz began over 10 years ago and we are thrilled to be the recipient of this significant three-year grant, which will expand services at our new site and throughout Ramsey County,” said Mary McKeown, president, and CEO, Keystone Community Services. “Our neighbors count on us to be there when they need extra support and this investment by Allianz will help Keystone support more people with more food and resources.”
Allianz Life and Keystone are longstanding partners and have worked together to offer numerous community and food distribution events, including “Free Farmers Market” events at Allianz Field, with each event providing more than 400 families from the Midway neighborhood and surrounding areas
with fresh produce.