MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As part of the annual Spirit of Giving campaign at Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life^®), employees banded together to help make a difference for thousands of people in the Twin Cities during this holiday season. Allianz Life employees donated more than $116,000; 45,000 pounds of food and clothing; 3,800 new toys; and 800 gently used books. Donations will benefit five Twin Cities area nonprofit organizations. In addition to contributing items, the nearly 1,800 employees raised donations in a variety of ways including “buying” the opportunity to dress casual, conducting raffles, having a car detailing fundraiser, holding bake sales, and even wrapping gifts.

“I could not be more proud of the work done by our employees to help our neighbors in need,” said Allianz Life President and CEO Walter White. “They consistently demonstrate their commitment to the community by giving back in amazing ways.”

Five area nonprofits benefited from the Allianz Life giving campaign. More than 23,000 pounds of food and $14,800 was delivered to PRISM (People Responding in Social Ministry), a social service agency located in Golden Valley, Minn. that helps thousands of families and seniors in need. The Arc Greater Twin Cities received more than 22,000 pounds of gently used clothing to be sold at Arc’s Value Village stores, which in turn funds programs for people with developmental disabilities. More than $72,000 went to Second Harvest Heartland, the Upper Midwest’s largest hunger relief organization, and the remainder of the money (more than $28,900) plus 3,800 toys and 87 bikes went to Toys for Tots, which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford them. More than 800 books also went to People Serving People, Hennepin County’s largest shelter for homeless families, based in downtown Minneapolis.

During the campaign’s 18 years, Allianz Life employees have given more than:

• $922,000 in cash donations,
• 348,000 pounds of food, and
• 339,000 pounds of clothing.

*Photos available upon request.

About Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For® in 2017, has been keeping its promises since 1896. Today, it carries on that tradition, helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuities and life insurance products. In 2016, Allianz Life provided a total of $2.6 billion in benefit payments that supported policyholders’ financial objectives. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with 142,000 employees in more than 70 countries worldwide. More than 85 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz knowledge, global reach, and capital strength to help them make the most of financial opportunities.