Hattiesburg business donates 60,000 masks for Pine Belt residents

HATTIESBURG, Missisippi (WHPM-TV)- Spartan Mosquito donated 60,000 masks to the city of Hattiesburg, Forrest County, and Lamar County to give to residents at no cost. The masks meet the guidelines recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Our latest executive order required that employees at essential businesses wear masks and we also made the recommendation that the general public wears masks when they are out running essential errands,” said Mayor Toby Barker. “Thanks to this local business, we have been able to take an innovative path forward in putting masks in the hands of many as we continue to navigate life through this pandemic.”

City administrators partnered to develop a distribution process for the masks.

Barker added, “The hope is to put masks in as many Pine Belt hands that need them by focusing on essential retail touch points (where people are already visiting due to essential needs – i.e. grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.), government and community facilities and reaching vulnerable populations by working with partners in the faith-based sector and community nonprofits.”

Mayor Toby Barker is asking the public to follow these guidelines:

• Masks are available at retailer locations on a first-come-first-served basis. If a store is out of masks upon entrance, residents are asked to reach out to the City of Hattiesburg (601-545-4501 during business hours), on Facebook (facebook.com/CityofHattiesburg) or email (mayor@hattiesburgms.com) to assess the best place to receive one.

• Residents are asked to not storm retail locations just to get a mask. If a resident doesn’t have one and needs to go to the grocery store or an essential retailer, it can be picked up.

• Social distancing guidelines are still important – even with a mask.

• While no limit will be imposed, residents should only take what is needed.

• Don’t dispose after one use. These are cloth-based masks that meet CDC standards for fabric face covers and are reusable and washable.

Beginning this weekend, masks will be available at the following list of retail establishments and government facilities.

CITY OF HATTIESBURG

• Walmart (Hwy 98 and Hwy 49)

• Corner Market / Sunflower (All five locations throughout Lamar & Forrest County)

• Target (Hwy 98)

• Lowes (Hwy 98)

• Home Depot (4100 O’Ferrell Street)

• Dollar General Stores (1204 Edwards Street, 1909 Hardy Street, 100 Red Street)

• Walgreens (5093 Hardy Street, 6130 Hardy Street)

• CVS Pharmacy (2507 Hardy Street, 3910 Hardy Street)

• Sullivan Grocery (810 James Street)

• Nathan Jordan’s Palmers Crossing Store

• Fire Station 1 at 810 Main Street

• Fire Station 2 at 1111 Arledge Street

• Fire Station 3 at 53 Academy Drive, Ste 1

• Fire Station 4 at 5033 Hwy 42

• Fire Station 5 at 922 E Hardy Street

• Fire Station 6 at 3804 Montague Boulevard

• Fire Station 7 at 46 Parkway Boulevard

• Fire Station 8 at 104 Lamar Boulevard

LAMAR COUNTY

• Piggly Wiggly (772 E Main Ave, Lumberton)

• Ramey’s Grocery Store (4233 Rocky Branch Rd, Sumrall & 157 Shelby Speights Dr, Purvis)

• Any Lamar County Volunteer Fire Department (call before) – 601-794-5190