Area health facilities accepting donations of personal protective supplies

The Grand Rapids Public Museum donated gloves, face shields, Tyvek suits and personal respiratory mask to Spectrum Health. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Hearing of the need its “neighbor” was having, the Grand Rapids Public Museum decided to lend a helping hand by donating its extra gloves, face shields, Tyvek suits and personal respiratory masks to Spectrum Health.

The personal protective equipment were supplies that the museum had for everyday work and emergencies. The Grand Rapids Public Museum closed more than a week ago when the governor announced restrictions on gatherings of people.

“The Grand Rapids Public Museum saw a need within our community for personal protective equipment supplies for our healthcare workers on the front lines of this pandemic,” said Kate Kocienski, the Museum’s VP of Marketing. “We keep supplies on hand for everyday work with our Collections and for emergencies. Earlier this week our team gathered those supplies and donated them to Spectrum Health.

“We are proud to be able to help in the community where needed so we can continue to flatten the curve.”

In fact, the outpouring of community inquires and offers of support has both Metro Health – University of Metro Health and Spectrum Health accepting donations of personal protective equipment. Each facility has set up donation sites.

It should be noted that traveling to drop-off sites to donate medical supplies does not violate Michigan’s statewide stay-at-home order, which allows for an exception to the order for providing necessities to “individuals who need assistance as a result of this emergency.”

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

Metro Health – University of Michigan Health is accepting donations from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Items are to be brought to Metro Health’s System Services and Learning Center, 1980 Metro Court, Wyoming. People should enter using the door on the south side of the building, facing M-6.

Disposal gloves are in demand at local hospitals. The Grand Rapids Public Museum donated these gloves to Spectrum Health. (Supplied)

Items being accepted include:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

N95 Masks

Isolation masks – children and adult

Face shields

Safety glasses

Goggles

Isolation gowns

Gloves – all sizes

Bouffant caps

Non-Personal Protective Equipment

Bleach wipes

Cards for caregivers

Spectrum Health

Starting today at noon, Spectrum Health will be accepting PPE supplies at 14 different locations such as:

Spectrum Health South Pavilion, 80 68th St. SE, Culterville

Spectrum Health Medical Group Family Medicine, 3152 Port Sheldon St., Suite C, Hudsonville

Spectrum Health Integrated Care Campus – East Beltline, 2750 E. Beltilne Ave. NE, Grand Rapids

Spectrum Health Medical Group Lake Drive, 4100 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids

Spectrum Health Integrated Care Campus – Holland, 588 E. Lakewood Blvd., Holland

Spectrum Health Integrated Care Campus – Rockford, 8501 Meadow Creek Dr., Rockford

There are also locations in Ludington, Muskegon, Ionia, Hastings, Greenville, Grand Haven, Fremont, and Big Rapids. For the complete list, click here. Most locations are open from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday except for Spectrum Health Medical Group Lake Drive, which is open from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Friday.

According to hospital officials, Spectrum Health continues to maintain a supply of masks and other personal protection equipment for its patients and health care providers. Officials said they are working to stretch its supply and is turning to the community because officials do anticipate the need will continue to grow.

The following items are accepted at the donation sites:

N95 Masks

Isolation masks (adult/child)

Masks with face shield/visor

Handmade or sewn reusable masks

Face shields

Googles/safety glasses

Bouffant caps

Extended extra protection gloves – all sizes

Isolation gowns

Bleach wipesSwabs (flexible min-tip

Pocket-sized sanitizer

Thermometers (digital, disposable, temporal)

To reduce the risk of exposure for all, Spectrum officials are asking donors to place donations in the bins provided at each location while maintaining a distance of at least six feet from others.

Spectrum Health is not currently accepting donations of 3D printed items, other medical equipment, medications or blankets.

If the donation is large and requires special arrangements or if you have a question, email Spectrum Health’s supply chain team at covid19supplies@spectrumhealth.org. Spectrum Health is also accepting monetary donations to its COVID-19 Response Fund.