MANHATTAN — Manhattan Mayor Usha Reddi received a shipment of 2,000 donated face masks from Champion Teamwear, a local division of Hanesbrands with operations in Manhattan, Kansas. The donation was made in recognition of the Mayor’s recent formation of the Manhattan Area Recovery Task Force to help local businesses and organizations reopen as local and state orders allow.
In receiving the masks, Mayor Reddi stated, “I appreciate Champion Teamwear as a local business stepping up to help other businesses in the community and ensure they have the proper protective equipment for employees and customers. This is corporate support and giving at its best!”
In making the donation to the Mayor, Jeff Johansen, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Champion Teamwear commented, “as a local business we understand the hardships that Manhattan and surrounding businesses are facing. Fortunately, we are able to tap into our global supply chain to make these masks available to area businesses as they begin the reopening process. The Mayor’s forward thinking on creating the Manhattan Area Recovery Task Force should help Manhattan and the Flint Hills Region become one of the first economies in Kansas to rebound quicker and stronger.”
The masks are intended for use by area businesses that were identified in Governor Kelly’s Phase One of her Reopen Plan. The masks will be distributed in Riley, Pottawatomie, and Geary Counties through the area Chambers of Commerce.
Riley County/City of Manhattan will have 1,300 masks for distribution and will be limited to 20 masks per business. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and a waiting list will be established should the demand exceed the number of masks available. Any Riley County/City of Manhattan business classified as a retail or restaurant business under Governor Kelly’s Reopen Plan are encouraged to visit the Manhattan Chamber website https://www.manhattan.org/FormCenter/Mask-Request-6/Mask-Request-42 and fill out a mask request form.
Geary County businesses should contact the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce at (785) 762-2632 or [email protected].
Pottawatomie County Businesses (except businesses in the city limits of Manhattan) should request masks by contacting Kara Holle at the Wamego Chamber of Commerce at [email protected]