Hanes Introduces Donates 1 Million Masks for the Homeless

By Brendan Menapace

Hanesbrands Inc., Winston-Salem, N.C., launched its #MaskAround campaign to stress the importance of wearing a face mask in public. The company is also donating 1 million masks to homeless people nationwide.

Health care experts have found that wearing a face mask in public places where social distancing is not possible can drastically decrease the risk of spreading COVID-19. A survey commissioned by Hanes found that 51 percent of Americans wear a face mask at all times when they leave home, and 71 percent wear a mask when they go to the grocery store or retail stores.

For those experiencing homelessness and unable to purchase face masks on their own, Hanes has donated 1 million face masks to nonprofits to distribute in cities like Los Angeles, Miami and Houston.

Hanes donates 1 million face masks to nonprofit organizations, including Pittsburgh Mercy’s Operation Safety Net, to support those experiencing homelessness across America during the COVID-19 pandemic. | Credit: Hanesbrands Inc.

Hanes has a long history of nonprofit partnerships thanks to the National Sock Drive.

“Homeless people face even more limited avenues for support during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mark Horvath, founder of nonprofit Invisible People, which educates the public about the issue of homelessness. “Hanes continues to make a significant difference through its longstanding commitment to this nations often invisible population. This program is critical to driving the importance of having and wearing face coverings whenever social distancing cannot be practiced.”

The #MaskAround campaign is aimed at Instagram and TikTok users, hoping to educate them on the importance of face coverings and inspiring more widespread usage.

“We want to do our part to support the country’s effort to slow the spread of COVID-19," said Sidney Falken, chief branding officer at Hanes. “Hanes is proud to be able to offer affordable and comfortable cotton face masks to consumers, and our goal is to raise awareness around the importance of wearing them to keep each other safe and healthy.”

Hanes launched its first line of washable and reusable face masks in June with retail and e-commerce partners. The masks are available in multipack quantities, and are available in multiple colors and sizes. Hanes also plans on launching more options in the coming weeks, such as a children’s mask line.

For more information on Hanesbrands Inc., visit www.haneslocator.com.