Ocean State Job Lot providing free COVID-19 mask fabric

Tue, 04/07/2020 - 9:15pm

    Ocean State Job Lot, which has locations in Rockland and Belfast, is launching a ‘Mask Fabric For Free’ campaign to supply its customers with the fabric necessary to create an estimated two million homemade cloth face masks, according to a news release.

    As the release noted, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that all Americans wear cloth face masks in public in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

    Ocean State Job Lot customers are invited to visit the newly-created displays in each of the retailer’s 140 store locations to pick up free, high-quality cotton-polyester blended fabric to craft their DIY-masks, the release said.

    Customers interested in making one or two masks are invited to take cloth napkins, while customers who intend to make a larger amount of masks will be supplied with a tablecloth, free of charge.

    To ensure that as many people as possible are able to benefit from the program, customers are limited to five units of fabric.

    The company is also encouraging groups and organizations who can create masks at scale to speak with their local store leaders to coordinate large orders, according to the release. 

    “During this critically-important time, it’s our responsibility as community partners to think outside of the box and provide as much assistance as we can,” said Paul Conforti, Chief Marketing Officer of Ocean State Job Lot. “While we’ve been focused on sourcing critical supplies and medical grade masks for healthcare professionals and first responders battling COVID-19, our ‘Mask Fabric For Free’ campaign specifically focuses on the needs of everyday people who are looking for responsible ways to protect themselves and others.”

    Ocean State Job Lot continues to utilize its global supply chain to source one million critically-needed surgical and N95 face masks, which are being donated to hospitals and other medical facilities in the region, the release said.

    Last week alone, the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation donated essential items, and also sold items below cost, to organizations including Rhode Island Hospital, Bradley Hospital, RI Free Clinic, Boston Medical Center, the State of Rhode Island, and multiple fire and police departments, according to the release. These essential items included thousands of masks, gloves, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, hazmat suits, eye protection and more.

     

    About Ocean State Job Lot

    Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot is a growing, privately held discount retail chain with 140 stores in New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; approximately 5,600 employees; and annual sales of approximately $725 million. Job Lot sells brand name, first quality merchandise at closeout prices. Shoppers find an ever-changing array of household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (holiday, gardening, patio, pool and beach supplies), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price. The company was named by Forbes Magazine as a 2017 and 2018 “Best Midsize Employer.”

    The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, supporting numerous causes, including feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, assisting veterans and military families, aiding animal rescue, caring for children, advancing healthcare, supporting the arts and promoting learning.