04.10.20 Press Release
Urban Community nonprofit San Jose Ship Kits brings hand sanitizer to first responders and families in need
501(c)(3) org is partnering with Frank-Lin Distillers, Gordon Biersch, and the City of San Jose
April 10, 2020, San Jose, CA – Real estate investor Urban Community announces their nonprofit organization, San Jose Ship Kits Inc., is partnering with Frank-Lin Distillers, Dan Gordon of Gordon Biersch, and the City of San Jose to produce and distribute hand sanitizer to first responders and those in need. The organization has already distributed 4,500 gallons of sanitizer and hopes to deliver an additional 7,000 gallons over the next few weeks, half of which will go to the City of San Jose for first responders and hospitals and half of which will go to local nonprofits through inclusion in Shelter In Place (SHIP) Kits.
“During these uncertain times, I am grateful to our local business community for stepping up to procure much-needed essential materials for our city personnel and community organizations,” said City of San Jose Councilmember Raul Peralez. “We truly are in this together and their action speaks to the ingenuity and resiliency of our City!”
SHIP Kits include mainly locally sourced items that offer nutritional support, medical supplies, and health and wellness products for community members in Santa Clara County whose livelihood has been negatively impacted by the state-wide Shelter in Place mandate. Kits are mostly targeted to families-in-need with children under twelve and hourly-wage earners.
“At Frank-Lin Distillers, our top priority is to the health and wellbeing of our people, partners, customers, and our community,” said Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing of Frank-Lin Distillers Products, Ltd., Vincent R. Maestri Jr. “During this pandemic, we are continuing operations, while at a limited capacity, to meet our customer commitments and assist in any way we can in providing for the needs of our community. We are truly honored to partner with amazing companies like Gordon Biersch and Urban Community to provide much needed resources in this unprecedented time.”
Urban Community, with the assistance from Non Plus Ultra, have transformed their property housing the historic San Jose Armory in downtown San Jose into a temporary SHIP Kit production facility. All Kits will be produced using best practices for cleanliness and safety of packaging, delivery, and distribution, including the use of PPE and CDC recommended practices. Distributions occur at designated pick-up areas throughout Santa Clara County. A touchless donation protocol is being implemented allowing families and individuals to receive a Kit without leaving their vehicle.
"We are grateful for this partnership with the City of San Jose, Dan Gordon, and Frank-Lin Distillers, allowing us to help fulfill the growing need for hand sanitizer by our San Jose first responders, hospitals, and community,” said Ashley Pourroy, Manager of Community Relations and Outreach at Urban Community. “Our goal is to raise one million dollars over the next few weeks, allowing us to produce thousands of SHIP Kits a week for families and hourly wage earners in need! Even a five-dollar donation will help make a huge difference in the lives of those effected by COVID-19."
To find out more about SHIP Kits, how you can donate, or to become a partner, visit www.sjshipkits.com.
About Urban Community LLCCommitted to enhancing the urban user experience in downtown San Jose, as a real estate developer, Urban Community collaborates with community members, designers, technologists, city officials, and builders alike to re-envision downtown San Jose. Based in San Jose, through their projects, Urban Community strives to create exceptional environments that catalyze community at every layer. Learn more at https://urbancommunity.com/
Media Contact
Ashley Alexander | NINICO Communications | ashley@ninicocommunications.com