Non-profit distributes hundreds of masks, soap products in neighborhood hit hard by coronavirus

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A local non-profit is working to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in one of the city's hardest-hit neighborhoods.

Members of the Milwaukee Coalition Against Hate handed out about 300 hygiene kits in the Sherman Park neighborhood Saturday. They went door to door to distribute the kits and promote hand washing.

They started at noon near 45th and Burleigh, an area they said they chose because there is a high rate of African-Americans affected by the virus.

The kits, which included masks and soap products, were made up of products donated by various community partners, including the Community Task Force.

Organizers told CBS 58 it's an effort to give back to the community. Volunteers said they hope their gesture will inspire more community outreach throughout the city during the pandemic. 

"It's showing that we're all in the together, and we all have to help each other and do whatever we can to try and prevent the coronavirus from spreading through the neighborhoods and to the families," said Tracey Dent.