Senator Eldridge Announces Face Mask Partnership Project with Middlesex and Worcester District Communities

Generous constituent purchases face masks in bulk for all school districts and municipalities in region.

Acton, MA – State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) is announcing a project to provide free face masks to every family in the Middlesex and Worcester District that is receiving free meals through the public school system. This initiative is a result of a generous constituent who purchased 375,000 disposable face masks to distribute through the meal programs of the public school districts.

 “I’m deeply grateful to my constituent, with whom I connected with two weeks ago, for his interest and commitment to reducing the spread of the coronavirus, and keeping residents safe, by providing face masks to families throughout Metrowest and North Central Massachusetts,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge. “His generous contribution will allow more families to follow the recommended health practice of wearing face masks, a practice that Governor Baker required via executive order earlier this month.”

The launch of the “Face Mask Project” began in the district this week, with volunteers providing over 12,000 face masks to families in the city of Marlborough through its public schools. The face masks are being distributed to families who are receiving food through the school’s meals program.

 “Securing Personal Protective Equipment is a top priority in the City of Marlborough as it ensures safety for frontline workers and members of our community during these trying and unpredictable times.  A huge thank you to our anonymous donor, Senator Eldridge, and Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella for helping coordinate this donation for the Marlborough community.  These masks will be distributed through the Marlborough Public School Meal Continuity Program and in a variety of other ways to City residents,” said Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant.

Leominster is another town that is distributing free face masks. Over 10,000 face masks were provided to the Leominster public schools. “I can’t thank the donor enough for his generosity.  These masks are what is truly going to make the difference in helping stop the spread of COVID-19.  We’re all in this together and with donations like this it’s going to make the fight that much more successful,” said Leominster Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella.

The Face Mask Project is available to any town, city or school district in the 14 communities of the Middlesex and Worcester district, and to anyone in the Metrowest or North Central Massachusetts regions. Interested municipal elected officials, managers or school superintendents are encouraged to contact Senator Jamie Eldridge at his State House email, James.Eldridge@masenate.gov, to connect with the project and discuss the process of receiving the face masks. The constituent has requested to remain anonymous.

“While Massachusetts has made progress in combating Covid-19, we need to make sure that everyone has access to the medical supplies, including PPE and coronavirus testing, to significantly reduce the chance of hotspots, or any second wave of the virus,” said Senator Eldridge. “Providing free face masks to families receiving free meals through the public schools is particularly important, as socioeconomic disparities are magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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