Kinney Drugs employees get face masks via Holy Shirt! partnership

All employees of Kinney Drugs across New York and Vermont were supplied with reusable face masks for everyday use, thanks to Holy Shirt!, a local apparel company based in Syracuse, N.Y.

On April 13th, more than 4,000 masks were ordered from the local vendor and in only five days, Kinney Drugs had supplies for all employees.

“Globally, face masks and face coverings of all kinds have been in high demand and extremely short supply,” said Rick Cognetti, Kinney Drugs vice president of marketing, merchandising and retail operations. “We were very happy to partner with another local business to source this product. Face masks are an essential item needed to protect our employees and help stop the spread of COVID-19.”

“We were trying really hard to source reusable masks from a lot of different avenues that turned out to be dead ends,” said Lindsay Sterbank, Kinney Drugs associate category manager. “On a hunch, we gave Holy Shirt! a call and they immediately got to work and made it happen for us quickly, knowing Kinney’s urgent need to protect our employees.”

“Holy Shirt! is grateful for the partnership and the support from Kinney Drugs during a very challenging time for many small businesses. We are glad that we could provide high-quality masks in a timely manner and help ensure the safety of Kinney’s essential workers,” said John Groat, Holy Shirt! president.

Because of their involvement in sourcing masks, Holy Shirt! has been given a NYS exemption deeming its business essential. Holy Shirt! continues to provide customizable masks to the public online and during pop-up shops at their Erie Boulevard location. “We are very proud to support our community during this unprecedented time,” said Groat.