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Fort Worth residents respond to call for donations of protective equipment

April 10,2020

Reposted from Fort Worth Public Library

The response to a citywide effort to collect personal protective equipment (PPE) items was overwhelming, showing the generosity of Fort Worth’s residents and what is possible when they come together.

At the four participating Fort Worth Public Library locations, the effort collected 12,809 pairs of gloves; 1,741 masks; 600 shoe covers; and other items. Fort Worth distillery TX Whiskey donated 300 gallons and 2,300 8 oz. bottles of hand sanitizer. Area Goodwill Donation Centers collected 2,500 masks, 400 pairs of gloves and 241 coveralls.

“The number of supplies that were collected during the donation drive show Fort Worth is a compassionate community that always supports each other,” Mayor Betsy Price said.

Staff were stationed at four Fort Worth Public Libraries to accept donations starting on Thursday, March 27. The drive was conducted every weekday until Friday, April 3.

Library Director Manya Shorr coordinated the drive, and library staff manned the drop-off locations in front of the four libraries. Safety protocols were followed in how the donations were accepted, handled and later counted, and staff themselves wore protective equipment while working.

It is clear to me that this campaign really reached into people’s homes, hearts and businesses,” Shorr
said. “It wouldn’t have happened without everyone’s help.”

In addition to the four libraries, Goodwill Industries collected items for the city’s drive at its area Donation Centers. The donations at Goodwill locations were also strong.

We were happy to contribute to this worthwhile effort to collect donations and get them to the people on the front lines in Fort Worth,” said David Cox, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries Fort Worth.

“The donations are a testament to the level of caring this community has, and we are proud to be a part of it.”

The city’s Joint Emergency Operation Center is  working on a distribution plan for the much-needed PPE supplies.