About 1,000 free face masks are available for any Dekalb County resident through the Anti-Drug Coalition.
Coalition Director Jennifer Matthews said 4,000 masks were shipped to the coalition earlier this month. She said this is a relief for families financially struggling from the pandemic.
“It’s helpful for them, especially with school starting back, that they’re not having to have another stresser trying to come up with money to provide masks for their families,” Matthews said. “They can worry about back to school items and supplies and food.”
Matthews said the coalition has already given away over 3,000 masks to businesses and families throughout the community. Monday, coalition members gave masks to the Chamber of Commerce, Dekalb Middle School staff, and over 60 to Motlow Community College. Several were also left in blessing boxes in Smithville and Alexandria.
“We are individually wrapping them and putting them in a zip lock bag with information on it,” Matthews said. “Before we pass it we’re wearing gloves and sanitizing our hands to make sure we’re keeping the masks sterile and clean.”
In March Matthews applied for a FEMA mini grant that provides masks for rural areas. The masks are first-come, first-serve.
“It’s not mandatory in a lot of places in Dekalb County to wear a mask, but some places are,” Matthews said. “The families are just thankful that they don’t have to go out and purchase these.”
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