Starting April 17th, Governor Cuomo is requiring New York City residents to wear face coverings in public wherever maintaining six feet of distance is not possible. In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, many stores and cafes are also posting notices that face masks are required upon entry. Thankfully, companies and organizations across the country have transformed their clothing, shoe, and blanket-making factories into factories for face mask production. If you’re looking to purchase face masks for you and your family, here’s a list of face masks that give back — 17 companies who are selling masks and also donating masks to those in need with every purchase.
The face masks in this article are not medical-grade masks but can be effective for everyday wear and help to prevent the spread of illness.
Psst… for more coronavirus support, check out other articles like How to Stay Safe Grocery Shopping During the Coronavirus Pandemic and Therapy, Meditation and Mental Health Apps for Parents.
Face Masks that Give Back
Kes is an NYC-based company offering sustainably-made face masks for $12. For every mask purchased, they’ll donate one to a health care worker in need. Buyers can choose between standard cotton masks in black and white or slightly more expensive 100% Silk Charmeuse masks in a wide variety of colors.
Inkerman is a sustainable NYC-based sneaker and shoe company. Right now, you can purchase a pack of 3 cotton face masks for $20 and they’ll donate 3 more to essential New York City workers in need.
Caraa Sport is selling five-packs of masks for $25 and donating the same amount of masks sold to New York City relief efforts. Each mask has a nylon exterior and a cotton interior, and they’re made from repurposed materials from Caraa’s production line in an assortment of bright colors.
This New York-based company is better known as a sewing co-op that designs stylish cloth tote bags that you most likely have seen toted around the city. Now during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is turning its production to medical masks and donating a mask for every one sold.
Helmstedt is a Danish company selling upcycled silk cotton masks for $36. All profits are being donated to WHO’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
Nineteenth Amendment is offering a variety of options to buy and give masks. Choosing to buy one mask and give one mask costs $18, while choosing to buy one mask and donate 10 costs $50. There are options to buy one and donate 50, 100, or even 1,000 masks! The fabric’s pattern will be a surprise, but buyers have the option of choosing between a small or large mask and elastic or cord ties.
Alice and Olivia is a fashion brand selling one-size-fits-all masks in a jersey material and their trademark Staceface pattern. Each mask is $10, and with every mask sold, one will be donated to a community in need.
Jack and Mulligan is a company selling five-packs of black and white polyester and spandex masks for $50 per pack. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the CDC Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund, and the site’s reviews say Jack and Mulligan provide great, old-fashioned customer service in a stressful time.
The American Blanket Company’s Massachusetts factory is making fleece face masks that are “thicker, denser and more comfortable than cotton and paper face masks/coverings.” They’re selling five-packs of masks for $29 and donating masks to health care workers with every purchase.
Phunkshun Wear is a Colorado-based ski mask producer who uses its moisture-wicking and breathable technology to create face masks in a huge variety of fun and edgy colors and patterns. When you buy one mask for $19.99, they’ll donate another to the Colorado Mask Project, which distributes donated masks to essential workers and vulnerable populations.
Hedley and Bennet, based in LA, are producing and selling their new “Wake Up and Fight Mask” for $22. With every mask purchased, another is donated to “the doctors, nurses, first responders, grocery store employees, restaurant workers, and all others who are putting their lives on the line for us every day.”
Christy Dawn, a California-based company with the logo “Honoring Mother Earth,” is providing sustainably-made cotton masks in $30, 5-mask packs. For every 5 masks purchased, 5 more are donated. Christy Dawn offers a range of lovely floral patterns and solid-color options.
Looking for the proper way to wear a face mask or how to make your own? Check out how with this helpful tutorial from the CDC.
