Forest River, Inc. delivered 20,000 disposable face masks to the Elkhart County Health Department this week, and the company wants to continue supporting its community’s pandemic recovery in other ways.
Forest River staff in Indiana reached out to the local health department as they were making their own plans to obtain the PPE needed to safely bring employees back to work this month. Forest River General Manager Don Gunden said the health department had a need for the equipment as well.
The manufacturer’s Indiana plants will return to work the week of May 4, and its Michigan plants hope to resume production the week of May 18.
“During these times of uncertainty, Forest River, Inc has stepped up to help their local communities face the threat of COVID-19,” the company announced Wednesday.
Forest River’s recent efforts with the Elkhart County Health Department began earlier this April, when the company’s Millersburg and Topeka plants loaned three travel trailers for front-line use.
Gunden said the health department reached out as the need for rural testing facilities and consultation centers emerged. The three Forest River trailers are currently in use in Millersburg and Nappanee.
He said the health department has handled the trailers since Forest River employees helped install them on site a few weeks ago.
“The company plans to continue supporting their local communities in an effort to flatten the curve,” Forest River announced Wednesday.