FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 24, 2020

Courtney Tipper

Interim Public Information Officer

Office: 901.222.2322

Mobile: 901.481.3422

SHELBY COUNTY GOVERNMENT, INTERNATIONAL PAPER, AND MOMENTUM NONPROFIT PARTNERS JOIN TO PROVIDE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO LOCAL NON-PROFITS 

Memphis, TN – Shelby County Government Division of Community Services, International Paper, and Momentum Nonprofit Partners have joined forces to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to local organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the past three months, the Division of Community Services has been committed to addressing intermittent PPE requests from non-profits. To expand access to services to the community, the Division of Community Services has partnered with Momentum to assist with the coordination and distribution of PPE supplies. Equipped with boxes donated by International Paper, this partnership allows both organizations to work together to provide masks, hand sanitizers, and other cleaning supplies to over 100 local non-profit organizations. These supplies will aid in these social service agencies’ efforts in protecting their staff and clients during the COVID-19 pandemic as more and more clients are seen.

The Division of Community Services and Momentum staff are scheduled to distribute PPE supplies to local organizations who have applied, been approved and notified for the COVID-19 PPE supply pick-up. The distribution will take place at 1:00 PM on Thursday, June 24, 2020, at the Momentum Headquarters (630 S. Cooper Street, Memphis, TN 38104). 

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris: “We know that PPE is crucial for keeping safe workers who perform direct services during this COVID-19 pandemic. Since March, we have put a great deal of thought and preparation into expanding our capacity for PPE distribution to our non-profit partners and throughout the community. This new partnership will allow us to get PPE to more local non-profits, those on the frontlines of providing critical services, and into the hands of our neighbors in need.”

Division of Community Services Deputy Director Raushanah Morgan: “The work that local nonprofits do indirectly serving community’s needs is even more important now during these times. Equipping nonprofits’ staff and their clients with vital PPE through these partnerships ensures that we have a greater impact in helping these organizations operate as safely as possible.”

Momentum Director Kevin Dean: “Nonprofits have struggled to obtain PPE since the beginning of this crisis. The partnership we have forged with Shelby County Division of Community Services will keep thousands of Shelby County residents safe and reduce the spread that is occurring so quickly.”

International Paper Global Citizenship Coordinator, Dynisha Woods: “Our employees are passionate about supporting critical community needs, and we recognize that our boxes are essential during the pandemic. We are pleased to mobilize our products to support this great community initiative.”

This event will comply with the local health department’s social distancing guidelines. To ensure the safety of staff and patrons, distribution will be a “drive-thru” service. Press are encouraged to attend.

(end of release)