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Generally describe the impacts of COVID to your organization: Please describe the negative and operational impact COVID-19 has had on your organization. In your response, please include specific information about the financial and operational impact along with any pertinent documents demonstrating the impacts: Please indicate the amount of funds being requested (maximum of $10,000) and how you would use funds awarded under this program: Please indicate any other COVID-19 related relief that your organization has applied for or will be applying for: The pandemic years have been a serious challenge for Keystone and the residual effects continue to be felt by our community. Due to Covid-related economic volatility and subsequent inflation, Keystone’s food support programs have never been busier. The rising cost of food is hitting low-income households hard and many households that have never sought assistance before are turning to Keystone to help them put food on the table. In 2020, 6,162 Ramsey County residents accessed Keystone food resources for the first time. In 2021, another 4,970 did. In 2022, Keystone food support programs served a staggering 12,851 first-time participants. Overall, the number of visits to Keystone food shelves and mobile food programs increased by 70% in 2022 compared to 2021 (25,366 visits in 2021 vs. 43,254 visits in 2022). Keystone had to innovate quickly to deliver food during the pandemic, greatly expanding our mobile food programs to include increased Foodmobile capacity, a new food shelf home delivery program, and community-based food distribution events. We had to accomplish this with many fewer retiree-age volunteers (due to Covid risks faced by older adults) and we still don’t have the number of volunteers we need. In addition, the 30% reduction in federal commodities we receive and the higher cost of key foods like meat, eggs and milk is having a significant impact on Keystone’s Basic Needs budget. We added 25% more in our 2023 food budget so we have the funds to provide the foods requested by our participants. Covid-related economic disruptions are both increasing Keystone’s cost per person served and increasing the number of people we serve. Keystone is requesting $10,000 which we will use to pay a portion of our FT food shelf home delivery program coordinator. This program is directly related to pandemic-driven needs and has a high impact in Roseville. Targeting funds here will simplify reporting and ensure compliance with ARP requirements. Keystone received past Covid relief funding from Ramsey County, St. Paul, and philanthropic organizations. We do not have other Covid-specific proposals pending or planned. We will be applying for Ramsey County CDBG funds to help cover the increased food costs associated with serving suburban Ramsey participants. Attachment D