Meijer purchases 750,000 KN95 face masks for donation

As part of ongoing coronavirus response efforts, Meijer has procured 750,000 KN95 face masks and started distributing them to frontline workers and first responders throughout the Midwest.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer said Monday it’s working with COVID-19 emergency response teams and municipal health departments to manage the distribution to health care workers or emergency responders so those who need masks the most get them quicker.

The face masks will be provided to government agencies, hospital systems, law enforcement agencies and other first responders in many of the communities in Meijer’s market area, mainly in Michigan and Ohio, the supercenter retailer said. Recipients include Macomb and Oakland counties in Michigan and the city of Detroit, as well as the Michigan State Police. Those entities then will distribute the masks as needed.

“We are proud of our procurement team for helping us secure these much-needed masks, and we continue to do our part in keeping our team members and the communities we serve safe during these challenging times,” Meijer President and CEO Rick Keyes said in a statement. “We’re pleased to have this opportunity and continue to look for ways to help our team members, customers and communities navigate through this new normal.”

Related:Meijer aids local restaurants with meal-buying program

Starting in late April, Meijer began requiring all associates, vendors and contractors to wear a face covering. Customers are being urged to follow suit.

In addition, Meijer said it also has procured and donated medication and other personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and masks, to various COVID-19 emergency response teams. The donations include 2,000 vials of insulin and 2,000 vials of albuterol to the state of Michigan for distribution in southeast Michigan; 60,000 N95 face masks to the Michigan; 1.75 million pairs of powdered vinyl gloves to Detroit; and 4,000 N95 face masks to the state of Kentucky.

Meijer’s home state of Michigan has been among the hardest hit by the pandemic. According to a database from The New York Times, Michigan currently has 47,116 COVID-19 cases, the seventh-most in the United States, and has reported 4,551 deaths, the fourth-most nationwide.

“We’ve seen an incredible amount of strength and courage from Michiganders during this time of uncertainty, whether it’s from communities donating food, money and resources to those that need it or from businesses using their technology to manufacture personal protective equipment,” stated Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “This action from Meijer will help us protect frontline workers and slow the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan. I’m proud to work with Meijer and every business that steps up during this time to protect Michigan families.”

Related:UPDATE: Walmart, Kroger, Hy-Vee, Giant go with one-way aisles to combat coronavirus

Overall, Meijer operates 248 supercenters and grocery stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.