From automotive giants to local breweries, here are 10 local businesses stepping up to lend a hand
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| Featured photo via Detroit Sewn Facebook |
Deviate
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| Via deviatefashion.com |
Detroit fashion house Deviate is working with St. Joseph Mercy Oakland to create masks for medical professionals. They have created two types: a simple cotton mask, and a reusable mask that allows a filter to be inserted. Additionally, a limited-edition beanie is available for purchase on the company’s website; for each hat purchased, three masks will be donated to a hospital, free of charge.
Detroit Sewn
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| Via Detroit Sewn Facebook |
At its Pontiac factory, Detroit Sewn has shifted its focus from making apparel to producing hospital masks. Each line can produce 1,000 masks per shift, and the company is accepting bulk orders.
Nurses Inspire Nurses
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| Via Nurses Inspire Nurses on Facebook |
Medical professionals are on the frontlines of the pandemic, and they’re undoubtedly facing the stress that comes with that position. Nurses Inspire Nurses is here to help. The Plymouth-based company is distributing care packages filled with snacks and other goodies to — you guessed it — nurses across Metro Detroit (and beyond)! Nurses can sign up to request a package here.
Ford Motor Company
Ford is teaming up with 3M and GE Healthcare to tackle the medical equipment shortage. The car company partnered with the manufacturers to produce respirators and ventilators, and it also plans to churn out more than 100,000 face masks weekly at their plants.
Griffin Claw Brewing Company
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| Via @griffinclaw |
A new temporary rule allows distilleries to produce ethanol-based hand sanitizers in response to heightened demands, and Birmingham’s Griffin Claw is stepping up to the challenge. The brewery’s sanitizer will go to first responders, the State of Michigan and health care workers.
Bedrock
Detroit real estate giant Bedrock is supporting small businesses with a rent forgiveness program. The company announced this week that it will be suspending rent payments for restaurants and other small businesses from April to June. This means all rent, parking and extra expenses will be waived in order to allow retailers to recoup some of their lost profits due to the “stay Home, stay safe” order, which closes all non-essential businesses in the state.
Petoskey Plastics
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| Via petoskeyplastics.com |
To help hospitals cope with shortages, Northern Michigan-based Petoskey Plastics is manufacturing hospital gowns. Roughly 10,000 are produced each day; they’re currently being provided to a hospital upstate, but will likely be extended to other McLaren hospitals across Michigan.
General Motors
GM’s has partnered with medical device company Ventec Life Systems to amp up production of ventilators by helping to source parts. Known as “Project V,” the collaboration may soon include the GM’s factory in Kokomo, Indiana, where the goal is to build up to 200,000 ventilators.
Technique Medical
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| Via techniquemedical.com |
Based in Jackson, metal fabricating company Technique, Inc. is now creating face shields for hospital workers. The company shipped its first batch of shields on March 24 and eventually plans to manufacture 2,000 to 5,000 shields per day.
Blake Farms
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| Via Blake Farms Facebook |
While schools are closed statewide, families who rely on free or discounted lunch programs may be concerned about providing food for their children. Blake’s will be offering free lunches to anyone under 18, every day 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their Cider Mill in Armada. Lunches can be picked up inside, or at their drive thru.
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