Albany residents show out for free masks

ALBANY, Ga. – Hundreds of cars showed up at the New Hope Center in Albany during food distribution Wednesday. But the long lines weren’t just people wanting food, many people were there to take advantage of the free masks being handed out.

Cars drive through the lot to pick up their free masks along with fresh produce, this is all part of the city’s “Mask Up Albany” initiative.

“This is one of the best campaigns that I’ve seen that has actually put the resources in the hands of people,” says local missions pastor Ken Bevel.

The city of Albany started the “Mask Up Albany” campaign to encourage residents to wear masks while out in public.

Source: The City of Albany Facebook

“Communities that have used masks have found to be more successful in reducing the spread of the virus. You know it’s ‘I protect you, you protect me, Mask Up Albany,’” says City Manager Sharon Subadan.

The city’s initiative received a generation donation of 25,000 masks last week and today, the city entrusted volunteers from local churches to hand them out.

The group simultaneously distributed food today but Bevel says the added incentive of masks attracted new faces.

“Man, we had people we’ve never had before coming in asking for masks, which kind of highlights the need in our community,” says Bevel

Once a hotbed of coronavirus cases, Albany is now trending in the right direction and the COVID-19 curve is flattening.

“I would like to think that the efforts that we’re making are making a difference as it relates to “Mask Up Albany but more importantly I want the community to participate in order to prevent a second wave. Let’s be that community that doesn’t have a second wave.”

Mask distribution will continue tomorrow (Fri.) at New Birth Fellowship Christian Church from 5 – 7 p.m.