Keystone comes together to help all

This is the fifth part of our series looking at the economic and community impact of COVID-19

The tiny community of Keystone is coming together in a big way during these uncertain COVID-19 times.

The local food pantry, which is located at the senior center, has received donations from citizens who want to remain anonymous.

“A lot of people in Keystone and the surrounding area are stepping up to help out by donating to the food pantry, “ said Jon Veltman, president of the Keystone Senior Center board. “I received a full carload of food items to distribute to the needy. We’ve also received a few checks to help pay for food.”

The food pantry had recently changed its distribution from a self-serve to a prepackaged box model to reflect the best practices encouraged by Feeding South Dakota during the COVID-19 outbreak.

In addition, two separate initiatives are helping to boost community spirit and keep residents safe.

The first, the World of Hearts initiative, is “widespread and spanning communities nationwide,” according to Jen Greene, one of Keystone’s proponents of the program.

“A few of us here in Keystone wanted to introduce an idea that has been popping up across communities that we thought would be a meaningful way to bring our town together despite the physical distancing and isolation,” Greene posted on Keystone Happenings, a Facebook page for Keystone information.

The idea is to create hearts and display them on your person, home, car or business.

“The true purpose of this promotion is to spread hope; to love our neighbors, our families and those we talk to daily,” Greene posted. “This small, simple activity and promotion can be the positive in your day. Right now, we all need to take care of each other and still practice social distancing. But just because we are in separate spaces doesn’t mean we can’t be united in one. Love our community and show you care. Let us know if you need something for your needs and we will try to make it happen. We all have to stick together.”

Many people have joined Greene.

Deb Myers, who lives just outside of Keystone, posted, “joining the World Of Hearts made me feel like we are all in this together.”

Julie Babcock, an employee of the Holiday Inn in Keystone, was able to put up a heart on the hotel’s window before it closed.

“Even though the Holiday Inn is closed, there is a single heart in one of our windows,” Babcock said.

Keystonians are also busy making masks for residents, another campaign Greene has started.

“It’s been on my heart to do,” Greene said. “We are working to the goal of making 100 to start with, to be given out at the food bank within the next week. From there we will assess the need to keep going with more, because some people might already have. This is our town and I want to do what I can to make sure each person here is safe and taken care of.”

Greene has recruited people from all over the community, including members of The Keystone Project, the Holy Terror Days Assoc. and Leah Serrano of the Keystone Chamber of Commerce.

“We are getting 10 people to make 10 masks each and distributing to anyone that wants them in Keystone,” Greene said. “We want everyone to have a mask.”

Greene asks that recipients of masks do not sell them. She is also looking for more people to sew.

“I have some fabric and a pattern I can send people,” Greene said. “I’m looking for people to make masks or donate fabric.”

The masks are available at the senior center when it is open for food distribution.

“These will be available at the food bank and are handmade with love by multiple residents of our town coming together,” Greene said. “Our vision is that every person in our small town would be safe and protected. To do this we would like to do our best to make sure that each person who needs, has a mask, as we have capacity to make them.”