Four Sudbury entrepreneurs have teamed up to make protecting front-line workers from COVID-19 as easy as staying home and ordering snacks.
Snacks 4 Masks is a delivery service of sorts that was launched on Saturday, where for each variety pack of local fresh snacks purchased, one or more N95 masks will be donated to those who need it most.
It was introduced to support local business, get good food to those confined to their homes, but most of all, help front-line workers, said Shawn Scott, owner of Local Jerky Plus. The initiative was made public less than 48 hours after a partnership was established between Deke Zaher, owner of Zaher’s Small Batch and Nicole Paquin, owner of Nickel City Cheese, and Scott.
Zaher said this means the group still has some details to figure out, such as the full extent of what they can offer to the public, menu-wise. One thing that is set-in-stone, however, is the supplier of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved N95 respiratory masks.
Looking for a way to help with the shortage of personal protective equipment, Hugo Gavidia, owner of Quantum Tools and Industrial Supply Ltd., said he placed his first order for N95 masks three months ago. Although they aren’t part of his regular inventory, he said he will continue to place orders so long as there is a need.
“My main focus is just to help the community and keep it priced fairly,” he said Sunday. A small portion has been purchased by Vale, some set aside to support Snacks 4 Masks, but the rest are available to anyone who needs them.
Snacks 4 Masks has not yet arranged to support one group of front-line workers in particular with this initiative, but Zaher said their primary focus will be medical personnel. Whether or not their efforts will extend to providing masks to the general public has yet to be determined.
The public has been aware of a shortage in N95 masks for quite some time, said Zaher, but on top of that, both his and Scott's significant others, are nurses.
Health Sciences North received a shipment of N95 masks a few days ago, he said, but there's not enough to go around.
"These masks are very hard to find, and we're fortunate to have found (them)," said Zaher. “These masks protect everyone, both ways."
The response to the project thus far has been “phenomenal,” said Zaher, and they hope to keep that momentum going as best they can.
“This is new to all of us, and although we may be altering the program, we hope to continue a successful campaign through COVID-19 and answer the call of our local frontline workers the best we can in the meantime.”
Every Snacks 4 Masks variety pack at this time includes two containers of Zaher's Small Batch hummus, two bags of Local Jerky Plus beef jerky and one bag of Nickel City Cheese curds for $40. Delivery is offered free of charge.
Find more information on Snacks 4 Masks and how to order by visiting their Facebook page.
