Covering Each Other

Atoms Shoe Company Donates Over 20,000 Masks to NYCHA Residents

Thanks to its buy-one, donate-one campaign, a Brooklyn-based shoe company, Atoms, is donating over 20,000 face masks to NYCHA residents.

Atoms started producing the masks in April in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company is donating one mask for every mask that it sells. The masks – which are reusable and washable – are not being sold at a profit.

Atoms board member and Brooklyn native Alexis Ohanian, an entrepreneur and investor who co-founded Initialized Capital and the website Reddit, jumpstarted the initiative by donating $10,000 worth of masks to NYCHA residents.

“It’s deeply unfair that our most vulnerable communities are most affected by this pandemic – this is just a small gesture that I hope helps,” Mr. Ohanian said.

Atoms founder Waqas Ali noted: “These are intense times for everyone, especially for the city we call home, and where we look for continuous inspiration. We are proud to work with NYCHA in distributing Atoms reusable face masks, to people who need them most.”

NYCHA’s Resident Engagement Department is delivering the masks to residents of NYCHA developments across the city.

Appreciation also goes to Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio for providing face coverings to NYCHA residents and staff.