Several Brooklyn artists formed an organization to make thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment to donate to those in need. 

It’s called the Mask Off Project. Across Brooklyn, artists are making masks, face shields and nurse caps for the community. 

Organizer David Kirshoff says he got the idea to start the project after finding a large supply of N95 masks in his studio, which he donated. 

"That kind of got me thinking, I have this interest in organizing and connecting with people. It kind of snowballed from there. We started getting a lot of fabric donations,” said Kirshoff. 

Kirshoff says he started the organization in March after feeling the need to help out during the pandemic. 

 

He says there are about 15 artists with different roles, who have made more than 2,000 masks since the project began. They are donating them to hospitals, restaurants and people who need them. 

"It's about creating a project that is, like I said, contextual, works within the needs of everybody, and becomes a source of mutual aid,” said Kirshoff. 

He says that with many of the artists being out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic, they’re using this time to stay productive. 

He says their next goal is to make masks that have a window in them that would allow people with disabilities to read lips. 

The organization has created an Instagram account where Kirshoff says anyone looking to help their cause can donate.