Menifee group seeks material, volunteers to make masks

A volunteer sews material for non-N95 masks for distribution to health care officials. Photos courtesy of Jeff Johnson

A group of volunteers making non-N95 masks for health care workers is asking for the public’s help in donating material and volunteering work in sewing the masks.

This effort is in response to Riverside County’s order that all individuals wear a face covering when leaving their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care workers have asked for donations of cloth face masks because of a shortage of N95 masks.

Pastor Jeff Johnson of Impact Church is coordinating with a group calling itself Menifee Masketeers in making the masks and putting together mask kits for others to complete. Anyone with the ability to sew masks will be given the properly sized materials.

The group is seeking donations of fabric, interfacing, one-eighth or one-quarter inch elastic, clean t-shirts to use for ties, or t-shirt material.

Johnson said that the group hopes to produce masks for the general public as soon as possible, but for now, the emphasis is on providing masks for health care officials. Those who pick up mask kits and sew them may return them to Impact Church, 29697 New Hub Drive in Menifee.

Volunteers will be at the church daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to collect donations and distribute mask kits.