Minnesota United has partnered to donate $75,000 that will support Midway and Union Park area residents, local businesses and organizations surrounding Allianz Field during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Minnesota United donates $75,000 to Midway neighborhood fund
The MLS team combined with stadium naming-rights sponsor Allianz Life to support neighborhoods around Allianz Field during this coronovirus pandemic.
May 5, 2020 at 6:40PM
The MLS franchise says it and stadium naming-rights sponsor Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America have together "effectively quadrupled" the Neighbors United Funding Collaborative fund created in 2016 to support the stadium's neighboring communities.
A news release said the fund focuses on economic development and public art as well as preventing displacement and preserving the local community. Minnesota United CEO Chris Wright said in the release that the team is "extremely proud of the relationship" it has built with the community surrounding the stadium.
"One of the most important things we can do as a club during these times of stress and uncertainty to support our neighbors in soccer," he said. "We hope this donation will provide some much-needed stability during these challenging times."
Union Park District Council executive director Brandon Long said in the statement that the money will support a variety of efforts for years to come. "We are spending our first year rapidly mobilizing to assist area businesses weather this pandemic," he said
The donation will provide emergency relief funds to businesses in areas around Allianz Field, he said.
In addition to the $75,000 donation, the statement said, Allianz Life will match financial contributions up to $50,000 for Keystone Community Services. It helps provide access to healthy food for St. Paul and Midway neighborhood residents through their food shelves, Foodmobile, Meals on Wheels, crisis services and other food programs.
Minnesota United and Allianz Life partnered with Keystone Community Services last August for a free farmers market on Allianz Field's Great Lawn that distributed more than 14,000 pounds of food to local residents and fed 150 Midway area households.
For more information about the Neighbors United Funding Collaborative, visit here.
For more information about Keystone Community Services, visit here.
The 2020 MLS season is currently suspended because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Minnesota started only two strikers against Seattle, leaving Sang Bin Jeong and Joseph Rosales to provide the width behind Teemu Pukki and Kelvin Yeboah.
