1,000 free face masks distributed Wednesday
T-R PHOTOS BY ANNA SHEARER
On Wednesday, 1,000 face masks were given away at the Marshalltown Police and Fire facility as part of an organized effort to supply people of Marshall County with masks. Made by employees of the Raymon-Donco company in Albion, people were able to get the masks from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Kim Gratopp, co-owner of Smokin’ G’s, was involved in the distribution and four of her employees helped hand the masks to people waiting in cars. Marshalltown Police Department Chief Mike Tupper said officers helped direct the flow of traffic, which did get congested. Masks will be given away again from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday at the same location — 909 S. Second St. Tupper and Gratopp said people are asked not to show up before 3 p.m. in order to reduce congestion. They should also approach the distribution area from High Street and then leave on Second Street. Other businesses that joined in the effort are the Times-Republican, Sign Creations and Marshalltown radio stations. “It is awesome to see all these entities get on board and help out,” Gratopp said.