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Argos donates medical face masks to the food banks

21 juli 2020

Argos donates medical face masks to the Food Banks

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the thousands of volunteers from the Food Banks continue their efforts to ensure that no family goes without food. Argos - new supplier to the Food Bank - donates 2,000 medical face masks, so that the volunteers' own health is not at risk.



On Wednesday 8 July, Food Banks Netherlands signed an agreement with Argos Packaging & Protection for the purchase of large quantities of paper and plastic bags. In this way, Argos contributes to the current modus operandi of the Food Banks. Because of the coronavirus crisis, many food banks have temporarily switched to a new method of distribution. The food is collected in paper or plastic bags and these bags are then placed in food bank crates. Customers of the food banks grab the bags out of the crates and take them home. In this way, virus transmission is kept to a minumum.

Stado Kiewiet de Jonge, responsible for purchasing at Food Banks Netherlands, went looking for a supplier with his colleagues from the team. The choice fell on Argos, which supplies the full range of bags. Ian Kentie, product specialist in the field of carrier bags – from plastic to paper – went through the entire process together with Stado to develop a package that best meets the wishes of the food bank. We looked at the size, but of course also at the right qualities and foodsafe certificates that are important in the case of the Food Banks Netherlands.
Patrick van Oosten, Commercial Director at Argos, indicated he wanted to do something extra and decided to donate face masks. The face masks are intended for the many volunteers who are in close contact with customers.

Henk van der Meer, food safety board member at Food Banks Netherlands, is closely involved as a member of the crisis team in all measures taken by the food banks in corona time. "Many volunteers like to wear a face mask while working at the food bank. This donation from Argos is therefore very much appreciated".