MANHEIM, Pa. — A Lancaster County non-profit is meeting the call for the need of more personal protective equipment (PPE) both in the county and around the nation.
The Emerald Foundation launched Operation Emerald after a conversation with local professionals who were concerned about getting the necessary supplies they need to fight the virus.
"There was this big problem with PPE, and they wanted to know if they could use our foundation as the 501(c)3 for that. I said I'll do one better--number one, we can house it, we distribute it and number two, because of what I do for a living at Emerald Asset Management, I would help them acquire it," Joe Besecker, Founder of the Emerald Foundation said.
Think of it like a food bank, but for PPE. The foundation, while first targeting first responders, now distributes to everyone they can in the community and around the nation. But, even now, it's not easy getting PPE.
"There was a lot of maneuvering, a lot of miles, phone calls, a lot of calling on friends on Wall Street," Besecker said. "We've had stuff stolen, absconded from overseas but no matter what obstacle it is we've tried to overcome it and have done so to a large extent."
"We had to think differently and we had to acquire where we could how we could. If we had to drive 4-5 hours to acquire one box of stuff, that's what we have done," Besecker said.
They've found one of their greatest allies right in their backyard.
"The Amish and Mennonite communities have been part of this. We're getting about 1,000 masks a week," Besecker said.
Going forward, the foundation is just trying to spread PPE to anyone who needs it, from here at home, to their most recent request in Arizona.
"Let us know where the need is. Sometimes the squeaky wheels get met, but the people who need it don't know how to reach out," Besecker said. "If you know of a situation where people are really in need, let us know and we'll try and meet that need."
"For every mask we're able to put on somebody, for every bottle of hand sanitizer, that makes us all a little bit safer," Besecker said.
If you need assistance with PPE or would like to donate to the foundation, you can visit their website for more information.