EMMA DAVENPORT

Organizing Community-Led PPE Distribution at Scale

MASKSNOWIL | 2020

Led a volunteer-driven productions and logistics system that connected donors sewists, hospitals, and community organizations across Illinois during the early COVID-19 pandemic.

An illustrative sketch of a flower

THE CHALLENGE

During the early COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals, and vulnerable communities faced severe PPE shortages. Traditional supply chains could not keep up with the demand, leaving healthcare workers and at-risk populations without essential protection.

​

MasksNowIL emerged as a volunteer-led production and logistics network designed to coordinate material donations, mask production, and statewide distribution.

THE SYSTEM

  • DONATION SOURCING

    Coordinated material donations from businesses, manufacturers, and community partners to support rapid mask production at scale.

    QA & PACKAGING

    Developed standardized packaging and quality control workflows to support safe and reliable distribution.

    MARKETING

    Developed and maintained consistent content schedule balancing organizational updates, recruitment, community building, and health information.

  • VOLUNTEER COORDINATION

    Built communication and fulfillment systems connecting hundreds of volunteer sewists, drivers, and organizers across Illinois.

    DISTRIBUTION LOGISTICS

    Managed delivery coordination for hospitals, healthcare workers, nonprofits, and vulnerable communities statewide.

    PUBLIC RELATIONS

    Pitched and secured media placements to raise awareness, and navigated media requests for organic coverage.

IMPACT

  • 500,000+ MASKS DISTRIBUTED to healthcare facilities & community organizations
  • 300+ VOLUNTEERS COORDINATED remotely across Illinois and beyond
  • $1.5 MILLION financial and donated material sourced
  • MEDIA RECOGNITION: GMA, NPR, WBEZ Chicago, WBBM Chicago, & other local outlets

PARTNERSHIPS

Corporate Partnerships:

Community Partnerships:

“When we first reached out to MasksNowIL, 38 residents and 14 staff members had tested positive for COVID. Just four days later, the first 450 cloth face masks were on their way…

​

This pandemic has been hard on all of us, but it has taught us a lot too — about the silver linings and the light that peeks through the cracks and illuminates the way… Thanks for being part of the light, MasksNowIL.”

​

-VICE PRESIDENT, THE LUDEMAN CENTER

​

EMMA DAVENPORT

Organizing Community-Led PPE Distribution at Scale

MASKSNOWIL | 2020

Led a volunteer-driven productions and logistics system that connected donors sewists, hospitals, and community organizations across Illinois during the early COVID-19 pandemic.

An illustrative sketch of a flower

500k+

cloth masks distributed

300+

volunteers mobilized

$1.5 million

in donated funds

and materials

National

distribution of

donated supplies

THE CHALLENGE

During the early COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals, and vulnerable communities faced severe PPE shortages. Traditional supply chains could not keep up with the demand, leaving healthcare workers and at-risk populations without essential protection.

​

MasksNowIL emerged as a volunteer-led production and logistics network designed to coordinate material donations, mask production, and statewide distribution.

THE SYSTEM

  • DONATION SOURCING

    Coordinated material donations from businesses, manufacturers, and community partners to support rapid mask production at scale.

    QA & PACKAGING

    Developed standardized packaging and quality control workflows to support safe and reliable distribution.

    MARKETING

    Developed and maintained consistent content schedule balancing organizational updates, recruitment, community building, and health information.

  • VOLUNTEER COORDINATION

    Built communication and fulfillment systems connecting hundreds of volunteer sewists, drivers, and organizers across Illinois.

    DISTRIBUTION LOGISTICS

    Managed delivery coordination for hospitals, healthcare workers, nonprofits, and vulnerable communities statewide.

    PUBLIC RELATIONS

    Pitched and secured media placements to raise awareness, and navigated media requests for organic coverage.

IMPACT

  • 500,000+ MASKS DISTRIBUTED to healthcare facilities & community organizations
  • 300+ VOLUNTEERS COORDINATED remotely across Illinois and beyond
  • $1.5 MILLION financial and donated material sourced
  • MEDIA RECOGNITION: GMA, NPR, WBEZ Chicago, WBBM Chicago, & other local outlets

PARTNERSHIPS

Corporate Partnerships:

Community Partnerships:

“When we first reached out to MasksNowIL, 38 residents and 14 staff members had tested positive for COVID. Just four days later, the first 450 cloth face masks were on their way…

​

This pandemic has been hard on all of us, but it has taught us a lot too — about the silver linings and the light that peeks through the cracks and illuminates the way… Thanks for being part of the light, MasksNowIL.”

​

-VICE PRESIDENT, THE LUDEMAN CENTER

​