As Tulsa Public Schools return to in-person learning this week, the Foundation for Tulsa Schools announced today that it has received 50,000 face masks from Bank of America for area students and school employees. Bank of America has been working with local partners in cities across the country to provide resources to vulnerable and underserved communities hardest hit by the coronavirus.

The masks will be distributed throughout the school district, which serves roughly 35,000 students across 77 different schools and charter partners. The donation will also benefit the district’s nearly 6,000 staff employed by the school district.   The Foundation for Tulsa Schools seeks to build a better community through the support of Tulsa Public Schools. With the support from Bank of America, the Foundation for Tulsa Schools will help keep students and faculty safe when they return to in-person learning so they can focus on providing the quality education Tulsa students need and deserve during this challenging time.

“Bank of America’s donation of masks is making our return to the classroom safer for faculty and students and is part of our commitment to ensuring that we have the resources needed to protect our Tulsa Public Schools family and get back to providing a quality educational experience to all of our students,” said Hallie Green, director of community engagement and grants, Foundation for Tulsa Schools. “Until safety protocols return to more normal levels, generosity from private and public partners has never been more critical.”

Bank of America’s support of the Foundation for Tulsa Schools is part of a nationwide effort the bank has to distribute millions of masks to communities impacted by the coronavirus and is connected to its $1 billion, four-year commitment of additional support to help local communities address economic and racial inequality accelerated by a global pandemic.

"We are grateful to Bank of America for this generous donation as we return to in-person learning," said Superintendent Deborah A. Gist. "This donation will help us provide masks to our students, teachers, and team when they need it -- and keep our students, families, and each other safe and healthy."

Over the past year in Tulsa, Bank of America has donated more than 152,000 masks along with other PPE like gloves and hand sanitizer, in addition to $1,089,500 to a total of 21 local nonprofits.

“Since the onset of coronavirus, Bank of America has been steadfast in our commitment to the health and safety of our employees and clients, as well as communities we serve,” said Bill Lissau, Tulsa market president for Bank of America. “Getting through this health and humanitarian crisis requires close collaboration so our community can identify and distribute personal protective equipment and funding to reach our communities most vulnerable populations.”  

The bank has focused its funding on community recovery response to the coronavirus and advancing racial equity and economic opportunity, including grants to 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, Tulsa Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, Bedlam Clinic, Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Mental Health Association Oklahoma, Iron Gate, Meals on Wheels, The Salvation Army, John 3:16 Mission, Citizen Potawatomi Community Development Corporation, Assistance League, City Year, Family & Children’s Services, Resonance Center for Women, and Tulsa Community WorkAdvance.

For more information on how the bank is supporting employees, clients and communities during this time, see latest updates here.