Masks for Hope

People experiencing homelessness are at risk for infection during community spread of COVID-19. The CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States. It has been determined from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms ("asymptomatic") and that even those who eventually develop symptoms ("pre-symptomatic") can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity - for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing - even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. 

At St. Vincent de Paul, we are doing our best to provide for the needs of the most vulnerable among us in order to keep our fellow human beings safe during unprecedented times, but we need your help to do so.  We are asking for donations of masks of any kind to distribute to guests that come to the Dining Room, Shelters and Pharmacy of St. Vincent de Paul. Please consider helping us if you can. Masks that are homemade or masks purchased are both encouraged. Please share this sign up with anyone that you think can help us.

Please list in the comment section of the sign up how many masks you plan to donate so that we can keep up with the number of masks that are donated and we can plan accordingly.

Please bring donated masks to the Community Pharmacy of St. Vincent de Paul located at 1647 Convention Street. Donations can be made Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM.

Thank you so much dear volunteers. There has not been a time in the history of St. Vincent de Paul that we have needed your help more than we need it now. St. Vincent de Paul has always provided hope for those with little or no hope, but we've now come face to face with a deadly virus that continues to wreak havoc on our community. The donation of a mask to a human being that has nothing will communicate to them that the community cares about their safety which in turn elicits hope. Having hope allows us to envision a better future and motivates us to take the steps to make it happen. We pray that all human beings are blessed with hope.

If you should have any questions, you can call our Volunteer Coordinator at 225-383-7837. 

Credits for COVID-19 information written here to the Centers for Disease Control.