As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many stories are emerging throughout the country and around the world about organizations and communities coming together to support those in need. Here are some of the ways in which organizations across New England are joining together and innovating in the face of this pandemic.
Retail industry shifts
Fashion labels and brands around the globe are scrapping their plans for new collections and prioritizing the needs on the frontlines. Boston-based New Balance shifted efforts in its Lawrence, MA factory from developing sneakers to crafting personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers. In under a week, the MA location was producing 8,000 masks daily. The retailer’s factory in Norridgewock, ME joined the PPE production efforts soon after. New Balance hopes to develop 100,000 masks each week between the two facilities.
Patriots Nation joins forces with rivals
Despite efforts across industries to develop the necessary equipment to keep essential workers safe, PPE supplies have fallen short across the country. Robert Kraft and the New England Patriots recognized this need and partnered with the state of Massachusetts to purchase 1.4 million N95 masks for the state, sending a Patriots plane to pick up the supplies from China. The State of Massachusetts also lent a helping hand to New York, sending 300,000 masks to the state as it experienced its highest infection rates. Then, as Massachusetts began to experience its peak of cases, New York returned the favor, with Governor Andrew Cuomo sending 400 ventilators to Massachusetts. The partnership between two states with competing sports teams proves that when it comes to a national crisis, we are all on the same team.
Essential workers go beyond the call of duty
We rely on grocery store workers to stock our shelves and keep our families fed every day, but during this pandemic, we have come to depend on them even more. New England supermarket chain Hannaford demonstrates that the support doesn’t stop at the store entrance. Hannaford made a donation of $225,000 to food banks and homeless shelters in Maine, lending a helping hand to those who are especially in need today.
Two other Maine organizations working together to provide food during this time are Cooking for Community and the YMCA of Southern Maine. Working with local restaurants, the two organizations have joined forces to prepare and deliver over 1,000 meals weekly for those in need in the Portland area. In a time when we all may feel overwhelmed by the steady flow of upsetting and difficult news, it’s heartening to hear stories of individuals, organizations and communities coming together for the greater good.
Harvard Pilgrim is also taking part in these efforts, with the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation mobilizing a grant program to support community and nonprofit organizations fighting COVID-19. We also partnered with ConvenientMD Urgent Care to provide drive-thru testing access in Quincy, MA in the spring.