United Way gives masks to agencies to protect those in the front lines

The United Way of Greater Texarkana office building at 214 Spruce St. in the middle of a remodeling project, which is funded by grants.
The United Way of Greater Texarkana office building at 214 Spruce St. in the middle of a remodeling project, which is funded by grants.

TEXARKANA - The United Way of Greater Texarkana will be giving masks to each of its partner agencies.

Each agency will receive 75 masks to help protect those on the front lines from COVID-19. The masks should arrive next week, said Mark Bledsoe, CEO and President of The United Way of Greater Texarkana.

The masks are medical grade and purchased from a local supplier with "rainy day funds" from United Way, Bledsoe said.

"We were brainstorming with board members about what we could do. This is a way to help our partners on the front lines because some of them cannot just shut down," Bledsoe said."We have had a very positive response from everyone."

Agencies include Domestic Violence Prevention, CASA, Texarkana Resources for the Disabled, Senior Citizens Services, HarvestbRegional Food Bank and numerous others.

Some agencies that have shut down, such as Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council, have said their masks can be donated to an agency that needs them more.

Others may need more than 75 masks.

"We told them to let us know if they need more, and we will see what we can do. It's times like this that we have to work together. We are thankful we had money in the rainy day fund and could help," Bledsoe said.

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