Protect the Fort effort to supply PPE to local business owners

Woman with a mask coughing.

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, has been in high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, and several Fort Worth groups have joined forces to get as much of it as possible into the hands of local business owners.

Protect the Fort – a combined effort by the City of Fort Worth’s Economic Development Department, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce and Visit Fort Worth – will launch its PPE initiative May 4 with the financial support of Facebook.

“Small businesses are essential to the local economy, and we are pleased to partner with the other great organizations assembled to Protect the Fort and support PPE supplies for local businesses in our Fort Worth community,” said Matt Sexton, community development regional manager for Facebook. “Fort Worth is our home, and we hope that this effort will help small businesses safely begin the process of resuming operations after dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

With Gov. Greg Abbott’s announcement of Phase 1 to open the Texas economy, Protect the Fort aims to prioritize the health and safety of communities and businesses as they begin to reopen and get back to work.

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“We support Governor Abbott in his dedication to reopening the Texas economy,” said Brandom Gengelbach, president of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. “That’s why we’re committed to getting these items to our local businesses as fast as we can. The sooner we can get these supplies to our business owners, the sooner they can provide protection to their employees and start operating again.”

A limited supply of PPE will be available beginning May 4. Business owners can place orders and select a pickup time.

Available items:

  • KN95 face masks.
  • Vinyl gloves: food-service grade, powder-free, single-use only.
  • 8-ounce spray hand sanitizer.
  • 8-ounce gel hand sanitizer.