Around the world, businesses big and small are stepping up to contribute what they can to those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic fight. Harbor Freight Tools has committed to taking a big step to aid the current safety supply shortages experienced by medical professionals in the United States.

In an emailed statement, Harbor Freight owner and founder Eric Smidt explained that his company would be donating its full stock of N95 protective face masks, face shields, and 5 and 7 mil Nitrile gloves to emergency room-equipped hospitals in the communities their stores are part of.

“As we’ve been following the news over the last few days, we’ve heard about the severe shortage of protective gear for hospitals, healthcare workers and first responders as the impact of COVID-19 is being felt across the country,” Smidt said. “America depends on these heroes every day and in the days ahead we will depend on them even more. At Harbor Freight, we want them to know that they can depend on us too. So we’ve decided to donate our entire supply of the personal protective equipment items… to front line hospitals with 24 hour emergency rooms in the communities served by our stores.”

The brand hopes to make a small impact to start, by focusing their supply donation efforts on hospitals.

“Although we certainly won’t have enough of these supplies to fill everyone’s needs, we’re going to donate everything we’ve got,” the statement added. “We also recognize that there are so many other critically important people responding to this crisis and that there is need everywhere. We’ve chosen to focus our efforts on hospitals with a 24 hour emergency room with the hope that we can help as many people as possible right now.”

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