23.06.2020, 19:50
UniFirst Supports Washington State Mask Challenge
UniFirst Corporation is laundering donated cloth face masks in support of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Washington State and City of Seattle’s “Washington Mask Challenge”.
Launched in late April with the backing of United Ways of the Pacific Northwest and Serve Washington, the challenge matches mask donors with organizations on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic which have an urgent need for face coverings – including nursing homes, homeless shelters, grocery stores, food banks, and other organizations that serve the elderly or otherwise vulnerable populations.
Under restrictions that have been effect since 8 June in Washington State, a majority of workers are also now required to wear protective face masks.
As a donation-in-kind, UniFirst has collected and sanitized more than 3,000 masks from donors across the state, which have been redistributed by the City of Seattle to Sound Generations (Meals on Wheels) and various homeless shelters in King County.
Commenting on the company’s (and those of other organizations), Lt. Governor Cyrus Habib, says: “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted some major weaknesses in our nation’s ability to respond to a health crisis of this magnitude.
“But many local partners have stepped up to fill that need, and UniFirst is one of them. Thanks to their extraordinary efforts, we have been able to sanitize thousands of cloth face masks and distribute them to the essential workers who need them the most.
“They have my deep gratitude.”
UniFirst president and CEO, Steven Sintros, adds: “When first approached about participating in the Washington Mask Challenge, without hesitation, our employee Team Partners in Puyallup jumped at the opportunity to volunteer our services to this worthy cause.
“Our company was founded on a commitment to serving others, which today is important as ever. It’s an honor to give back to communities across the State of Washington in this way.”
Visit WAmaskchallenge.org to learn more about the challenge or find out how to make a simple cloth face mask.
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