Facemasks available for low-income Islanders

Facemasks are available for low-income Islanders at all Food Bank locations across the Island. The masks are three-ply, non-medical and reusable. 

The Province has collaborated with the PEI Associations of Food Bank to distribute masks to Islanders in need. As of November 20, non-medical masks or face coverings are mandatory in all public spaces in Prince Edward Island. 

“For many Islanders, purchasing masks may not fall within their budget. Every Islander deserves access to protection against COVID-19. The health and safety of islanders is of the utmost importance.”

- Social Development and Housing Minister, Ernie Hudson

“We believe all Islanders should have access to not only healthy food, but resources to maintain their health,” says Mike MacDonald, Executive Director of the PEI Association of Food Banks. “This effort will help ease the financial burden on low-income Islanders, who may otherwise not be able to afford a mask.” 
 
The distributed masks are non-medical and re-usable. Masks are available at the following locations across the Island: 

• Upper Room Hospitality Ministry – 33 Belmont Street, Charlottetown, PE
• Salvation Army Food Bank - 158 Fitzroy Street, Charlottetown, PE
• Cornwall Food Bank – 5 Lowther Drive, Cornwall, PE
• Southern Kings and Queens Food Bank Inc. –222 PE-17, Montague. PE
• Crapaud South Shore Food Share - 20424 Trans-Canada Highway, Crapaud, P
• Souris Food Bank - 56 Main St, Souris, PE
• Summerside Salvation Army Food Bank, 374 Pope Road, Summerside, PE
• Alberton Caring Cupboard – 498 Main Street, Alberton, PE
• Bloomfield Caring Cupboard – 37947 Veteran’s Memorial Highway, O’Leary, PE
• Tignish Caring Cupboard – 315 School Street, Tignish, PE
• Tyne Valley Caring Cupboard – 815 Canada Road, Tyne Valley, PE
• Campus Food Bank – UPEI Campus, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE
• Kensington Food Bank – 30 Garden Drive, Kensington, PE
• Rustico Food Bank - 58 Church Hill Ave, North Rustico, PE

Backgrounder: 

The Chief Public Health Office continues to work closely with the federal government, provincial and territorial counterparts, government departments and Health PEI to monitor the pandemic situation and prepare for all COVID-19 related impacts to the province, including health, social and economic. The public health risk of COVID-19 is continually reassessed and Islanders will be updated as new information becomes available.

Everyone is encouraged to follow routine prevention measures:

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
• Stay home if you are not feeling well
• Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Keep your circle of contacts small
• Wear a mask in closed, indoor public spaces
• Maintain a distance of two meters from others as much as possible
• Don’t share items like drinking glasses and water bottles
• Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops

Media Contact:
Rebecca Gass
Social Development and Housing
rjgass@gov.pe.ca
(902)620-3409