Community outreach groups hand out free face masks, hand sanitizers

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The office of Community Outreach and the S.A.V.E. Group organized a giveaway on Friday in South Bend where around 1,000 face masks were distributed for free.

The masks and hand sanitizers were handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Many of the masks were provided courtesy of Memorial Hospital and Live Free Faith Indiana.

Isaac Hunt, a Community Liaison for S.A.V.E. Outreach, says the thought behind the giveaway is to make sure people are protected from the coronavirus.

“We just want to make sure people stay aware, stay conscious,” Hunt said. “We’ve got to stay safe. Masks are essential, you know what I’m saying. Hand sanitizer. Keep your hands clean, wash all the time and wear your mask. So we wanted to demonstrate through an example from our youth that we can do this.”

The giveaway was held at Martin Luther King Jr. Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Many girls who are attending summer camp at the Center were there volunteering.

“It’s important because people should wear a mask so that they don’t get sick and we want people to be safe and healthy,” Carrigan Bibbs said, who was one of the volunteers at the giveaway.

The masks that were handed out include surgical masks as well as handmade masks.