Keystone Community Services remains committed to providing vital support to people who need it.
Keystone is an “essential” business and is part of the Twin Cities’ critical sector response to COVID-19. With this information, we will continue to operate our food shelf, crisis services, meals on wheels and case management programs that support our most vulnerable residents in St. Paul.
Keystone is partnering with Minnesota hunger-relief organizations united in service to community.
We announce that food is available, and more is on the way. Here is our joint letter:
To our Minnesota community,
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged all of us in unprecedented ways, leaving most of us unsettled and fearful about what the future may hold. To all those in our community who are worried about food scarcity in your household during this pandemic, we are here for you as your Minnesota hunger-relief organizations. We want to say clearly that you are not alone.
Our organizations—food banks, food shelves, meal programs and other nonprofits—are accelerating our efforts to fill every cupboard. We are resolute, certain in the knowledge that access to food is the lynchpin of any crisis response, especially one in which we’ve asked people to stay home, minimize interaction and take especially good care of themselves. In response to calls for help that doubled last week and are on track to triple this week, we have provided millions of meals since the crisis began. We are prepared to deliver millions more in the days and weeks to come.
The increase in need has many causes. Restaurants, businesses and schools are shuttered, and pandemic-related layoffs have surged. Prior to the pandemic, 1 in 11 Minnesota households struggled to put enough food on their tables. In the current environment, that number has undoubtedly increased dramatically.
Our message to the community is simple; we have food available, and more is on the way. We are united and working round the clock to serve our community. We are coordinating our efforts with one another and with Governor Walz’s office.
If you are in need of food support, please visit www.hungersolutions.org/find-help. If you have children, contact the school district in which you live to find out what nutrition resources are available during this time. Most school districts will not require enrollment of your child in the district in order to receive assistance; help is available to all children who reside within a district’s boundaries.
Minnesota’s greatest asset is our ability to work together to solve our community’s problems. We are here for you, and we will get through this pandemic together.
Sincerely,
Your Minnesota hunger relief organizations:
Jessica Francis, Executive Director
Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf
Anika Rychner, Program Director & Scott Wopata, Executive Director
Community Action Center of Northfield
Clare Brumback, President
Community Emergency Assistance Programs
Mike Lloyd, Executive Director
Community Emergency Services
Shawn Morrison, Executive Director
Good in the ‘Hood
Jonathan Palmer, Executive Director
Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, Inc.
Chris DuFresne, Board President
Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf
Ellie Lucas, Chief Executive Officer
Hunger Impact Partners
Colleen Moriarty, Executive Director
Hunger Solutions Minnesota
Peg Keenan, Executive Director
Intercongregation Communities Association Food Shelf
Mary McKeown, President/CEO
Keystone Community Services
Cathy Maes, Exective Director
Loaves and Fishes MN
Daniel A. Rodriguez, Executive Director
Merrick Community Services
Nancy Q. Brady, President
Neighborhood House
Charles D. Thompson, President and CEO
Neighbors, Inc.
Lisa Baker, Program Manager
Ralph Reeder Food Shelf
Allison O’Toole, Chief Executive Officer
Second Harvest Heartland
Sophia Lenarz-Coy, Executive Director
The Food Group
Rob Williams, Executive Director
The Sheridan Story
Tracy Maki, Chief Executive Officer
Valley Outreach
Joe McDonald, Chief Executive Officer
Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People
Perry Petersen, Executive Director
White Bear Area Emergency Food Shelf
Jeff Mortensen, President & CEO
360 Communities