From the Front Lines: Mask makers keeping us safe
Many of our neighbors are innovating to help end hunger and keep us safe while being involved in the mask making movement.
School Spirit for the Benefit of Beyond Hunger
When Natalia and Lindsey, both OPRF Seniors, realized that everyone needed a mask to stay safe in public they put their sewing talents to good use. They wanted to honor their graduating class of 2020, show some school spirit and benefit those who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. They started selling huskie pride masks—2 for $20.20 with 20% of those sales benefitting Beyond Hunger. Visit their Facebook page for more information or email them directly for an order: LNmaskco@gmail.com
A Mask for Everyone
We have had community members helping to outfit our team and volunteers since the COVID-19 crisis affected Chicago. Chicago Mask Makers, volunteers, and Beyond Hunger family members were stitching at home to make sure we were able to work safely (and brightly outfitted). We knew we wanted to provide reusable masks for our clients too, but the number of masks needed seemed daunting. Thanks to some wonderful donations we have been able to provide a reusable mask, one per household, at the past two distributions. However, our supply is dwindling and we are in need of more reusable masks in order to reach each household that visits the food pantry. If you have fabric reusable masks to donate please contact Monnette Bariel, Volunteer Coordinator: Monnette@gobeyondhunger.org
A Mask or a Bag?
When the Chicago Mask Makers group was looking for the webbed material of reusable shopping totes to help line their masks, Beyond Hunger was also looking for those same bags to help clients who take public transportation. Having reusable totes allows us to have groceries prepackaged ready to grab-and-go— getting our clients valuable nutrition quickly and safely.
We initially received donations from Trader Joes, Census 2020, the Oak Park Public Library, Evan Jones and Team at 4C Hospitality, and even the Coin Laundry Association. Still, we needed more bags.
A local marketing company saw the call for bags from the Chicago Mask Makers, but their offer was more bags than CMM needed. After a few emails and quick work from Chicago Mask Makers' volunteer and Oak Parker Christine Baumbach, Beyond Hunger received the remaining 5,000 bags courtesy of State Farm.
We know there are quite a few community members providing masks to outfit their neighbors and quietly asking for people to make donations to Beyond Hunger in exchange. Thank you for putting your sewing machines and talent to work for all of us.
Thank you for caring for our hungry neighbors during this crisis.
Just $1 provides 3 meals.