How to Donate N95 Masks and Protective Gear to Philadelphia Hospitals

Wondering how to help health care workers in this crisis? Here’s one way.

Yes, you can donate the N95 masks you have at home. Here’s how. Image via gilz/Jasmin Merdan/Getty Images

It’s no secret that America is facing a massive personal protective equipment (PPE) shortage right now. Across the country, health care providers are pleading for the standard gear they need — from N95 masks to gowns to gloves — to help keep them healthy on the front lines as they fight COVID-19. Because you know what’s worse than battling a pandemic? Battling a pandemic when all the doctors are sick.

Just to give you an idea of how bad this shortage is, some doctors are being asked to reuse single-use masks, and are storing them in paper bags between shifts. The New York Times interviewed one physician who is spritzing her masks with alcohol, attempting to disinfect them between uses, until the masks disintegrates.

This is what it looks like in the ICU. Rows of brown bags each labeled with the name of a nurse or doctor . We are told to keep and reuse these masks , which under normal conditions would be thrown out each time we leave the isolation room. #GetMePPE pic.twitter.com/8blP8LzAGv

— Victoria (@V_Q_W) March 19, 2020

The medical community has rallied around a hashtag — #GetMePPE — as they petition the government for more supplies. It’s also being used to crowdsource protective gear from the public, as the physicians turn to citizens for donations.

I found two boxes on my doorstep this morning. Thank you whoever you are. This independent doctor is forever grateful. #GetMePPE #ppeisnotoptional pic.twitter.com/sJybfAeEJC

— Niran “STAY HOME” Al-Agba, MD (@silverdalepeds) March 17, 2020

Wondering what you can do to help during this crisis? Donate any PPE you have to your local hospital. If you’re one of the many who panic-bought N95 masks at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, now’s the time to get them into the hands of the people who really need them. Even if you didn’t go out and buy any masks related to the coronavirus, check your workbenches and craft tables — plenty of construction masks are N95 rated. Even if they’re not N95, considering that doctors are now being told to use bandanas and scarves in place of available PPE, literally any mask is worth donating.

We asked local hospitals what they need and how the public can donate. Below, find their instructions.

Einstein is asking for donations, given that they “anticipate need to overwhelm existing supplies of personal protective equipment.”

To donate to their centers in Philadelphia or Elkins Park, you can call 215-456-7200 to arrange a pick up or bring your donation the addresses below. To donate to their Einstein Medical Center Montgomery location, you can call 484-622-7013 to arrange a pick up or drop off.

Einstein Medical Center Elkins Park/MossRehabMain Entrance60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park

Einstein Medical Center PhiladelphiaMain Entrance5501 Old York Road, North Philly

Jefferson asks that all donations come in unexpired and in their original, unopened packaging.

Jefferson has four different drop-off locations, all open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thomas Jefferson University HospitalBluemle Life Sciences Building (loading dock)233 South 10th Street, Center City

Abington Hospital – Jefferson HealthLevy Medical Plaza1235 Old York Road (off of Woodland Road), Abington, PA

Jefferson Torresdale Hospital – Main Lobby10800 Knights Road, Northeast Philadelphia

Jefferson Health – New JerseyThe Church367 Hurffville-Crosskeys Rd., Sewell, NJ

Temple is also accepting protective gear from the public, and asks that you email about any materials you’d like to donate.

Email [email protected] with information on the gear you’d like to donate and they will coordinate with you.

Penn Medicine is looking for community support and donations to protect their health care workers.

If you have supplies to donate, you can either mail them in or drop them off.

Donate by mail: Hospital of the University of PennsylvaniaAttn: Receiving Department3400 Spruce StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19104

Pennsylvania HospitalAttn: Donations800 Spruce StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19107

Penn Presbyterian Medical CenterAttn: Donations51 N 39th StreetPhiladelphia, PA.19104

Drop-off locations: Hospital of the University of PennsylvaniaSecurity Booth outside of the Gates Building entrance on 36th and Spruce Streets3400 Spruce StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19104

Penn Presbyterian Medical CenterLoading Dock51 N 39th StreetPhiladelphia, PA.19104

Pennsylvania HospitalMain Entrance Welcome Desk800 Spruce StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19107

Penn Medicine Chester County HospitalHospital Parking Garage701 E. Marshall St.West Chester, PA 19380

Penn Medicine Lancaster General HealthClipper Magazine Stadium650 N. Prince StreetLancaster, PA(Find special instructions for donating at this location here.)

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