Grand Rapids, Mich., April 21, 2020 — Thanks to the generous and ongoing donations of handmade face masks from people throughout West Michigan, Spectrum Health will begin distributing the masks to those in the community who most need them.

The decision comes in the wake of a CDC recommendation that everyone wear a reusable mask when leaving their home as a way to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“Because people in the community have been so generous with their time and talents, we have collected more than 6,000 masks,” said Kurt Knoth, vice president of supply chain, Spectrum Health. “We encourage those who are able, to please continue making and donating masks. This will help us to reduce the community spread of COVID-19 by providing the reusable masks to the people within our communities in greatest need.”

A video with instructions on how to sew the preferred design is available here.

Long-term care facilities, home health workers and non-profit organizations aligned with Spectrum Health are among the groups initially identified to receive masks, based on supply and demand.

Spectrum Health will collect the homemade masks at its designated drop-off sites and expresses its thanks to those who have stepped up to create them. Organizations interested in receiving a supply of masks should email a request to [email protected].