WeCan KC is a group of Kansas City metropolitan area citizens, working to facilitate the transfer of needed supplies between individuals and institutions caring for COVID-19 patients.
The group is working to get PPE and sanitary products to local hospitals, nursing homes and immunocompromised individuals. A few friends came together to start the organization. Grace Slosburg joined her friends in their efforts. “I could not be more proud to know this group of people. This is true tikkun olam,” Slosburg told The Chronicle.
“Healthcare workers in smaller facilities are struggling to find PPE, and many have been cut off from vendors as they struggle to keep larger hospitals stocked. Many of these workers are stopping at hardware stores and pharmacies on the way to work, in search of any and all PPE they can get their hands on. Whether you’re an individual with a handful of items in your basement or garage, or a business with crucial items for donation or purchase – our smaller healthcare providers are in need of every resource we can give them,” the group’s website reads.
WeCan KC has made multiple deliveries to Menorah Medical Center, as well as to Kid’s TLC, Villa St Francis, the Forum, Willow Creek, amongst others.
The organization encourages the community to check their sheds, garages and basements for disposable masks, respirators, respirator filters, common cleaning supplies and disposable gloves, to donate to WeCan KC. They are also in need of medical gowns and booties.
“While WeCan KC has had enough surgical masks to fulfill all of their donations up to do now, supplies are trickling in and will soon run out completely. We are getting organized now, ensuring clear, concise, and uniform guidelines are given out and widely circulated so that there is some sort of uniformity for all involved parties – mask makers and wearers alike,” Slosburg said.
The Sewing Labs, who has been making masks and other items out of supplies donated to WeCan KC, has been a major partner in their efforts.
“We haven’t hit the peak yet and our supply chains really are drying up right before our eyes,” Slosburg said, “Making masks is going to become critical to ensuring protection for frontline workers as the pandemic continues.”
As research on homemade masks is as evolving as this crisis, the information will be kept up to date on WeCan KC’s website.
Slosburg hopes to make WeCan KC an official NPO at some point.
Grace Slosburg is a local who grew up attending The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah. Visit www.WeCanKC.com to learn more and get involved. On their website you can donate money, donate supplies or request a donation.