Local

Safeway hosting free drive-thru mask giveaway event Tuesday in Issaquah

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — King County has partnered with Safeway and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 21 to help give away 750,000 free face masks beginning Tuesday.

The first giveaway event will be held at the Safeway on Gilman Road in Issaquah from 1-5 p.m. Click here for directions.

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Each King County resident who attends the drive-thru event will receive two reusable cloth masks. Each vehicle can get masks for up to six members of their household (12 masks total).

“Wearing a face covering is an act of compassion,” Issaquah Mayor Mary Lou Pauly said in a news release. “We’re excited to partner with King County to ensure every community member has several face coverings readily available.”

Also starting Tuesday, customers at any of the 59 Safeway locations in King County will be able to get two free masks per person in their household (up to 12 masks total) while at the check stand. Disposable masks will also be available for customers at all stores.

“Even in a pandemic, most people still end up at the grocery store on a regular basis, which makes it a great place to distribute free protective gear,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said. “We know from experience that when people have access to free masks, they’re more likely to use them and less likely to be confrontational with people enforcing health and safety rules.”