ROSEMONT, ILL (Sept. 30, 2020)—Over the years, the Housewares Charity Foundation (HCF) has provided critical funding to those in need during emergencies, such as the September 11th and Hurricane Relief funds, along with its annual fundraising for charities. This summer, with the COVID-19 pandemic devastating the restaurant industry, HCF raised funds to provide masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) to restaurant workers.
More than $35,000 was raised along with in-kind donations of masks from two companies.
“The Housewares Charity Foundation thanks the housewares industry for its continued, remarkable support,” said Peter B. Cameron, a member of the HCF board of directors. “When people are in need, whether it’s relief for victims of natural disasters, our effort to eradicate breast cancer or, in this case, support for our struggling restaurants nationally as they try to cope with the virus’s protective requirements, the industry always answers the bell. Your support will really make a difference.”
HCF is working with the James Beard Foundation (JBF) to distribute the masks and PPE to restaurants in need. Donations can still be made at Housewarescharity.org.
“We are deeply grateful to the Housewares Charity Foundation and the housewares industry for the very generous support of local restaurants across the country at this time of need,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO, James Beard Foundation. “JBF is committed to helping local, independent restaurants survive this crisis and the provision of masks is very meaningful and pragmatic support. We are proud to partner with the HCF on this endeavor to protect the safety of restaurant workers and diners alike.”
IHA member, IRIS USA, Inc. donated 25,000 masks to the fundraising effort. IRIS’s parent company, IRIS Ohyama Inc. in Sendai, Japan, has been producing face masks for the Japanese government during the pandemic, and the Arizona-based storage products company recently added mask-making production to its facilities in Wisconsin.
“As the largest manufacturer of masks in Japan, we have been developing and improving our product over the course of 13 years. We feel it is our responsibility to get our masks out to as many people as possible; to do our part to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Hiroyuki (Doc) Takahashi, IRIS president.
Rose Healthcare LLC also donated 2,000 masks to HCF.
Other IHA members and housewares suppliers who contributed to the fundraising effort include: Airigan Solutions LLC, Alliance Rubber Company, Armaly Brands, Conair Corp., Farberware/Acuity Mgt, Greg Cairo, Kalorik, Newell Brands, The Presto Foundation, Pretika Corporation, Simatelex, Tablecraft Products Co., T.O. Epps, Total Biz Fulfillment and Vesta Precision.
The 2021 Housewares Cares Charity Gala will be held Aug. 9 during The Inspired Home Show, Aug. 7-10 in Chicago. For more information about the HCF, its honorees and its charities, please visit HousewaresCharity.org or contact Paul Murphy at 508.272.0717 or [email protected].