Free Mask Distribution At 19th Ward Churches Thursday

CHICAGO — Free masks will be distributed to residents of the 19th Ward on Thursday, May 7. Residents of Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Morgan Park will have two opportunities to pick up masks for themselves and family members at a pair of neighborhood churches that day.

The first location will be the Morgan Park United Methodist Church, 11030 S. Longwood Drive, from 10 a.m. until noon according to an email from 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea to ward residents. Then, the masks will be available at the Crosswinds Church at 10835 S. Pulaski Road from 2-4 p.m.

"The free masks will be provided on a first come, first served basis while supplies last," O'Shea wrote.

Photo identification will be required, and organizers have set a limit to four masks per vehicle.

The giveaway is part of the effort by former Chicago mayoral and United States presidential candidate Dr. Willie Wilson, who has pledged to give away 1 million masks to city residents amid the coronavirus crisis according to a Block Club Chicago report.

Wilson owns a medical supply company and offered to give each of the city's 50 aldermanic representatives 20,000 masks apiece.

"A special thanks to our co-sponsor Dr. Willie Wilson for the generous donation," O'Shea said.