Need a mask?PECI Make Poverty History club has community covered

Prince Edward Collegiate’s Make Poverty History Club (MPH) has launched a sale of Panther Pride fabric face masks to help to flatten the local COVID-19 infection curve, protect vulnerable people in the community, and raise money for the local food banks.

Members of the public can support the club’s latest #OneTeam fundraiser by purchasing a PECI Panther face mask for $15 ($25.00 for two). The masks are Canadian-sourced, and made of anti-microbial, hypoallergenic microfiber. All profits from sales will be donated to the Wellington Storehouse and Picton United Church food banks.

In mid-May, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tham issued a recommendation that people wear masks in public spaces in order to help block the transmission of COVID-19. This virus can be spread in micro-droplets during face-to-face interactions, including those between individuals who are asymptomatic for the infection.

Since N-95 medical masks are needed for frontline caregivers, and disposable masks are problematic for the environment, reusable fabric masks are the preferred choice for most individuals. MPH’s masks were designed with this in mind.

Historically, the Make Poverty History Club at PECI has raised funds to support a range of initiatives, from helping Kenyan villages to become self-sustainable, to raising awareness about equity issues worldwide.

Working in concert with PECI’s Environment and GSA clubs as The Justice League, their goal is to promote social and environmental justice at home and abroad.

“This is no small task, but these Panthers are up to the challenge,” said  club mentor and teacher Marian Moon states, “With or without the need for volunteer hours, this core group is driven to serve its community – to make a difference. Given the current situation with the pandemic, it just made sense for us to address food security issues here in The County for this year’s keystone project.”

Her colleague Janet Curran points out PECI is, and always has been, a community school.

“It’s more important than ever that our students have a sense of agency, that they know they are not helpless in the face of a crisis. Through this project, they have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding that community means more than a physical building where our classes take place.”

They note many individuals and families currently face food insecurity issues as a result of pandemic lockdowns and social distancing measures. Ellen Brownbill (Picton Food Bank) and Linda Downey (Wellington Storehouse Food Bank) are happy to see local food security as the focus of this year’s MPH fundraiser.

Both organizations currently serve hundreds of clients, and have increased their distribution in response to current needs in the community. Additionally, both are expecting an even greater need this autumn, based on current pandemic model projections.

“Fundraisers like this MPH initiative are particularly welcome because cash donations enable the food banks to maximize their impact by making bulk and wholesale purchases of goods for distribution.”

To place an order for one or more PECI Panther #OneTeam face masks,  contact mmoon@hpedsb.on.ca. To make donations directly to the local food banks, contact Linda Downey
(wellingtonstorehousefoodbank@gmail.com) or Ellen Brownbill (pictonunitedchurch@bellnet.ca)