A donation of 50,000 medical-grade, disposable face masks from the Ford Motor Company Fund provides a critical stockpile at Wayne State University that will help protect students and the campus community throughout the pandemic.

"We are immensely grateful for this generous gift of face masks from the Ford Motor Company Fund," said Wayne State Dean of Students David Strauss. "Having medical-grade PPE on hand for students will help keep us all Warrior Safe and Warrior Strong."

The disposable masks are a welcome addition to the cloth masks Wayne State distributes to all students and will be available throughout the year for health science programs and at units across campus that primarily serve students, such as the Student Center and the libraries. All students can use them as needed.

"Students can't learn if they don't feel safe," said Mike Schmidt, director of education, Ford Motor Company Fund. "Masks play a vital role in slowing the spread of COVID-19. That's why Ford Fund and Talent Acquisition are working with our long-time partners at Wayne State University to encourage students and others on campus to be safe and respectful of others by wearing proper PPE."

Targeting the production of 100 million face masks for distribution across the United States is the most recent philanthropic venture for Ford Motor Company's Project Apollo, an effort to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks, face shields and gowns for Ford employees and at-risk communities. Ford is manufacturing 2.5 million masks per week and will continue production through 2021. The face mask undertaking follows Project Apollo's completion of 50,000 ventilators for clinicians treating COVID-19 patients.

Learn more about Project Apollo at Ford Motor Company.

Learn about Wayne State University's COVID-19 Warrior Safe campus initiative.