WS Chronicle

Local nonprofit IFB Solutions, the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the U.S., has started selling cloth face masks produced at its Winston-Salem facility to the public through its online retail store, www.bscsource.com. The washable, 100% cotton knit masks are available in packs of 50 for $149.49 with free shipping. Larger packs of 500 masks are also available. 

Each sale helps provide employment for people who are blind or visually impaired.

“Earlier this month, we announced that IFB would be producing masks for the U.S. Air Force and we are excited that we are now able to expand our production to include sales to the general public,” said Silas Martin, IFB Solutions chief operating officer. “The packs of 50 are ideal for businesses and other organizations for their employees, customers and clients. And each pack sold helps support IFB’s mission of providing opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired in need of employment, training and services.”

The bscsource.com website offers more than 500,000 different products ranging from masks to discount office supplies, office furniture and janitorial supplies. Many of the products offered at bscsource.com are made by people who are blind or visually impaired, employed by nonprofit agencies like IFB Solutions. 

Twenty-two people work on IFB’s mask production line, including Cole DeLuca who first connected with IFB Solutions at the age of six when he received assistive technology through the IFB Community Low Vision Center. He participated in IFB’s SEE summer camps offered free to children who are blind and later joined IFB as an optical technician. This spring, Cole received training to work as a sewing operator on the mask production line.  

“Millions are unemployed. I am blessed I got the call to do this work,” said DeLuca. “I’m very proud to be sewing masks for the U.S. Air Force as well as for the general public. It’s awesome knowing that the more masks our team makes and sells through bscsource.com helps create employment opportunities for people like me who are visually impaired.”