MATTHEW 25: MINISTRIES IS RESPONDING
TO THE COVID-19 SURGE IN INDIA


Matthew 25 is shipping relief products in response to the coronavirus pandemic


JUNE 9, 2021  Cincinnati, OH A deadly second wave of coronavirus infections has devastated India, leaving hundreds of thousands dead and millions struggling to recover, putting stress on the country’s already strained healthcare system. At one point during the second wave, India was responsible for more than half of the world’s daily reported COVID-19 cases with approximately 400,000 cases a day. More contagious variants are developing and only a small portion of the population has been fully vaccinated.

During the second surge, healthcare facilities reported a shortage of critical supplies like hospital beds, personal protective equipment, medicine, and oxygen. Following the second wave of COVID-19 cases, a surge of mucormycosis cases, also known as black fungus, began affecting India. While infection numbers are dropping, the country is still reporting significant numbers of new cases and deaths daily. India has reported a total of almost 30 million cases and approximately 350,000 deaths to date.

Matthew 25: Ministries is working with partners to airlift over 3,000 pounds of PPE and sanitizing products to partners in India to support front line workers and public safety, helping healthcare facilities to protect their employees and safely meet the continuing needs of their communities.  This shipment includes products such as hand sanitizer, kn95 masks, face shields, coveralls, and mixed medical supplies such as pain relievers, oximeters, vitamins, masks, and sunscreen. Matthew 25 is continuing to work with partners in India to provide additional, long-term assistance to the communities they serve.

Matthew 25: Ministries initially launched COVID-19 response efforts in March 2020 by distributing desperately-needed PPE, sanitizing products, medical supplies, and other essential items to frontline organizations and other partners caring for those in need. To date, they have distributed nearly 7 million pounds of emergency supplies to almost 1,400 organizations throughout the United States, including hospitals, fire departments, police departments, nursing homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and more.

Matthew 25 is requesting donations of the following types of items to supplement existing supplies, for restocking during their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for future distributions:

  • Monetary donations: Donate online at www.m25m.org/donate, mail checks to Matthew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242 (100% of donated funds designated for the India COVID-19 surge will be used for the purpose intended)
  • Cases of bottled water (12- and 24- count)
  • Personal care products: Antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion etc.
  • Cleaning supplies: Laundry detergents, general cleaner, sponges, bleach (powdered form is preferred), mops, scrub brushes, buckets, rubber gloves etc.
  • Paper products: Toilet paper, paper towels etc.
  • Baby and infant supplies: Diapers, wipes, diaper rash ointment, baby wash, baby shampoo, baby lotion etc.
  • First-aid items: Bandages, gauze, pads, first aid tape, antiseptic creams, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, latex gloves, instant cold packs etc.

Matthew 25 has responded to multiple disasters in 2021 including the winter storm in Texas, severe flooding in Kentucky, and tornadoes across the South. In addition to their disaster response work, Matthew 25 continues to provide COVID-19 relief throughout the U.S. as well as maintaining their ongoing work with the poorest of the poor worldwide. In 2020, Matthew 25 shipped approximately 19 million pounds of aid, helping more than 23 million people.

For the most current information on Matthew 25: Ministries’ activities please visit their website at https://m25m.org/disaster/covid19updates#indiacovidsurge or follow Matthew 25 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For more in-depth information about Matthew 25: Ministries’ humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts or to schedule an interview, please contact Joodi Archer joodi@m25m.org.

Matthew 25: Ministries accepts cash, credit card, and online donations for ongoing humanitarian aid and disaster relief programs. All designated funds are used for the purpose intended.

ABOUT MATTHEW 25: MINISTRIES: Matthew 25: Ministries rescues and reuses approximately 15,000,000 pounds of products each year and redistributes them to the poorest of the poor and disaster victims. Each year, Matthew 25: Ministries impacts the lives of more than 20,000,000 individuals throughout the United States and around the world. Matthew 25 is ranked on Forbes’ list of America’s Top Charities. Matthew 25 is also highly ranked among approximately 3,500 four-star charities on Charity Navigator. Matthew 25: Ministries is accredited by the Better Business Bureau through the “Wise Giving Alliance Standards.” For more information, or to schedule an interview, contact Joodi Archer at Matthew 25: Ministries (513) 793-6256, joodi@m25m.org, or visit www.m25m.org.

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