Masks for Schools Donation Campaign

Unbelts Mask-raiser is back

In September 2020, we donated almost 25,000 of our super-comfy cloth masks to schools across Alberta.

Six months later, we’re asking for your support in topping up that original donation with 10,000 additional masks for kids who need them across Canada. It’s a Masks for Schools Reboot. Here’s why:

1. Cloth masks wear out. It’s time to replace those worn, washed, and worn again (and again) masks from September/October.

2. Disposable PPE waste is creating a global environmental crisis. Recent studies estimate that 3 million disposable surgical masks are being discarded every minute (Prata et. al, 2020). We want to limit Canada’s environmental impact.

3. Not every family can afford washable fabric masks. Job loss and economic hardship related to the pandemic is making it hard for many to invest in well-fitting, longer-lasting, and less wasteful - but initially more costly - cloth masks.

We’re kicking off our Masks for Schools Reboot with a donation stockpile of 2,000 masks - and you can help us reach our goal of 10,000 masks overall by refreshing your own mask collection. This is a great time to replace any masks you’ve got from the fall or earlier; for every mask you buy in April, we’ll donate one to a Canadian school in need.

What kind of masks are you donating?

• We’ll be donating our own Unbelts cloth masks, which launched in April 2020 after intensive research. They’ve been named Edmonton’s best mask and have been featured by ELLE, Refinery29, and Today’s Parent.

• Our design and materials comply with all CDC and WHO:

• 3-layer design that includes a removable, replaceable filter

• Hydrophobic (water-resistant) performance 300 thread-count outer shell of 95% polyester and 5% spandex*

• Hydrophilic (water-absorbing) 300 thread-count organic cotton lining*

• Nose wire for close fit

• Adjustable straps**

• Lightweight design for comfortable long-term wear

• Available in four sizes (XXS for most kids 2-6; XS for most kids 7-12; and adult standard and XL for teens and grown-ups).

• Find a full list of research citations here.

• All masks are produced by our fully living-wage supply chain.

• All masks use brand-new factory overstock materials that are diverted from landfills.

• We are a Certified B Corporation that is third-party verified to be working exclusively with factories that create excellent working conditions for their teams, and we’ve spent nearly a decade building direct relationships with small-scale operators who can uphold our quality standards. You can read more about our mask production here.

• *Note: While 100% cotton designs were recommended closer to the outbreak of COVID-19, current recommendations are that a different material be used for each layer. Polyester is recommended as an outer layer.

**In recognition of many parents’ and schools’ safety concerns about behind-the-head straps, especially on younger children, donated masks will come with ear loops.

My school needs masks. How can I apply for a donation?

If you’re the school principal of an Alberta public school
Thanks for your commitment to keeping your school safe and to reducing disposable mask waste. Please click here to fill out our two-minute Donation Request form.

If you’re a parent, teacher, or otherwise involved in a school
Thanks for helping your school! For efficiency’s sake, our Donation Request form must be completed by your school principal. Please send them the link to this page and let them know that the application only takes about two minutes.

Recipients will be chosen based on principals’ applications through our Masks For Schools Donation Request page, with priority on schools with highest economic need (assessed by principals’ stated per-student PPE budget). Although we will do our best to donate to as many schools as possible, we are limited by our donation budget and can’t guarantee every applicant will receive masks.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.

Are you donating to schools outside Alberta?

Yes! While we’re a proud Edmonton company with staff in Calgary and Cold Lake, we’ve got customers and community across the nation. We want to help where it’s most needed. Please fill out our donation form here.

When and how are donation masks being distributed?

Masks will be shipped out weekly, on Mondays.

Schools in Edmonton and surrounding areas may schedule a curbside pickup from Unbelts HQ; we’re in the Ritchie neighbourhood, just south of Old Strathcona.

Schools in Edmonton proper will receive expedited delivery via local courier.

Schools outside of Edmonton proper will receive Expresspost service via Canada Post.

I’m not involved with a school, but I need donation masks for my family or my organization. Do you have a program for me?

Yes. We’ve always earmarked 20% of our mask inventory for our Better Together donation program, which benefits individuals and families directly. The Masks for Schools campaign is in addition to, not instead of, this program.

You can apply here for masks through the Better Together program; applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

I’m an individual. How can I help?

Thank you! You can help us reach our goal of 10,000 masks donated by refreshing your own mask collection. For every Unbelts mask you buy, we’ll donate one to a Canadiain school in need.

We’re a business. How can we help?

Awesome! We love working with other businesses, and we’ve got great enterprise pricing and donation plans that help you protect your team while doing good in your community. We can customize masks with your logo, and we’ll even shout you out on our social media channels. Contact wholesale@unbelts.com with the approximate quantity you’re looking for, and we’ll get the ball rolling together.

If you don’t need masks but want to partner on this campaign, contact donations@unbelts.com for info on how to show your community spirit with bulk purchases of Unbelts donation masks. We’ll showcase you on our social channels for helping us reach our donation goal.

My school needs masks, and I’ve got the budget to buy them. What do you offer?

We have a no-markup purchase program specifically for schools in need of high-quality, ethically-made PPE at an affordable price point - and you’ll know you’re supporting an Alberta business. Please email us at hello@unbelts.com for more information.

I’m a teacher, and I’d like to buy masks from your website. Do you offer a teachers’ discount?

Yup. We know what you’re risking for the education of our little ones, and we really, really appreciate it. Please click here to access a 20% discount on our masks, mask accessories, and machine-washable belts. We will match your mask purchases with an equal number of donation masks.