City of Evanston issued the following announcement on July 23.
As Evanston businesses and organizations work to reopen safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, many are facing a common challenge: how to procure the right personal protective equipment (PPE) at the right price to protect their customers and staff.
The Evanston Chamber of Commerce, commissioned by Mayor Hagerty’s COVID-19 Task Force and the City’s COVID-19 Recovery Team, is stepping up to help. Since June, the Chamber has served as a bulk PPE purchaser for Evanston restaurants, businesses, schools, and nonprofits in need as they work to resume a “new normal” of operations.
From boxes of face coverings, to gallons of hand sanitizer, to disinfecting fogger machines, the Chamber has been able to secure discounted prices on bulk PPE purchases thanks to the help of Northwestern University and its supplier, Fisher Scientific.
To date, the Chamber has procured approximately $30,000 of PPE, including 10,000 paper masks. More than 70 Evanston entities have been assisted with purchases or vendor referrals.
“There was a real need for someone to centralize the ordering of PPE, especially since there are a lot of smaller businesses that need smaller quantities,” said Roger Sosa, executive director of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. “An average retailer might not need a case of 2,000 masks, for example.”
Knowing that Evanston businesses face significant financial challenges following temporary closures and reduced operations, Sosa continues to shop vendors to ensure that they’re getting the best price for the equipment they need to operate. “We’re trying to make the process as simple as possible and as inexpensive as possible,” said Sosa.
Other organizations are also stepping up. This month, the Evanston Community Foundation, with support from the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club and in collaboration with the Chamber, underwrote the cost for six months of PPE and cleaning machinery for 15 early childhood education providers and youth programs, including the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston, Reba Early Learning Center, and others. ECF also awarded a grant to the Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse to manage fulfillment and distribution of the materials as a part of its workforce development program.
Bettye Cohns, executive director of Reba Early Learning Center, said the PPE was essential to reopening the Center safely to staff and children.
“Many items were hard to come by,” said Cohns. “Not only did this help us attain the necessary materials, but it also relieved some of the stress of the situation.”
Stephen Vick, executive director of the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston, said the PPE helped his organization reopen its two Evanston locations at half capacity while following the State’s “Restore Illinois” Phase 4 health and safety guidelines. The Infant Welfare Society of Evanston currently serves more than 40 children ages six weeks to three years old, with 85 percent coming from low-income households. “This was a great opportunity to partner together on a bulk purchase,” said Vick.
Since March, Mayor Hagerty’s COVID-19 Task Force, which includes key members of the education, government, business, faith, nonprofit, health, and senior communities, has met weekly to share updates, discuss challenges, and make connections to meet the community’s needs, including PPE.
“I’m proud of the countless individuals and organizations who have stepped up to solve problems, support others, and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” said Mayor Hagerty. “This spirit of collaboration and partnership will continue to be essential as we work towards a safe recovery.”
“We are so thankful,” said Cohns. “We wouldn't be able to do this on our own without the collaboration of the Evanston community.”
Evanston organizations interested in working with the Chamber to procure PPE should contact Roger Sosa at Roger@evchamber.com.
Community members interested in contributing to ECF’s Evanston Community Rapid Response Fund can make a donation by visiting evanstonforever.org. To date, ECF has raised over $2.7 million for the fund and dispensed $2.5 million in grants to help meet Evanston’s urgent and long-term needs.
For more information about COVID-19 in Evanston, visit cityofevanston.org/covid19.
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Evanston
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