Some private organizations are donating PPE to the Delaware Department of Education as the new school year gets started.
Highmark is pledging to donate back-to-school toolkits that include PPE to districts up and down the First State including face coverings and shields, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, signage and resources with best practices.
And Bank of America is partnering with Donate Delaware to provide 100,000 face masks to underserved communities including schools.
"There's a need in our communities and young people attending schools there could be a need there and there is a need there and that's why we're partnering with Donate Delaware to assess the needs across the communities and schools being a part of that," said Chip Rossi, Delaware market president for Bank of America.
Donate Delaware Co-founder Dave Tiberi says volunteers will work with nonprofit and community leaders to make sure the masks reach the most vulnerable populations.
"We want to make sure that the education communities needs are being met, and part of that is right now we are working with the World Trade Center of Delaware," said Tiberi. "They're helping us research the companies that are reputable so we can get the best buys, bit also making sure that the masks are customized for children."
Tiberi says former Red Clay School District Superintendent Robert Andrzejewski is helping school districts identify face mask needs.
"He has been in dialogue with the school districts to collaborate and come together and we will work with them strategically moving ahead to make sure on how they do their buys and if they do their buys together how much money they will be able to save," Tiberi said.
Donate Delaware has a mask request form on its website available to organizations and communities throughout the state.
