Industry brands continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with assistance in a variety of ways.

‍Carhartt is one of four corporate and public entities working with the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC) in Detroit to assist with the manufacture of millions of pleated medical grade masks and thousands of sewn surgical masks and isolation gowns. The ISAIC, whose 12,000-sq.-ft. learning and contract manufacturing space in downtown Detroit was slated to launch this month, is partnering with Empowerment Plan to create 2.5 million masks and 50,000 medical gowns with standardized specifications for production. The organization will administer orders, control inventory and handle distribution to hospitals and other medical facilities in Michigan.

‍RG Barry Corp., parent of the Dearfoams and Baggalini brands, is donating 100,000 masks to New York City hospitals through Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office. The Columbus, OH company is also distributing Dearfoams slippers and Baggalini bags to healthcare workers throughout the city. Starting April 7, those in the medical community began redeeming for their free items through the brands’ websites and have them shipped directly to them at no cost. A future initiative will allow consumers to “Buy One, Give One” to healthcare workers via online purchases of slippers or a bag.

‍Vans has launched an initiative called “Foot the Bill” that is designed to assist its small business partners that are struggling financially due to the impact of COVID-19. Vans is launching the program with 80 small, independent businesses including skate and specialty shops, restaurants, music venues and community-driven spaces. Custom designs, created by each business, will be offered for purchase on the Vans Custom website at https://www.vans.com/custom-shoes.html

Net proceeds will go directly to the small business partners. Vans says the program will expand to include additional independent retailers and other partners over the next month.

CA-based eyewear brand Oakley, in collaboration with its local medical community, has developed a protective shield that will be mass produced and provided to first responders and front-line medical workers. The brand has also made a donation of 20,000 units of protective eyewear that will be shipped across North America and Europe.

‍The North Face announced that it will commit $1 million to support “outdoor communities all over the world that make exploration possible.” The brand says it will work closely with national and local outdoor officials to allocate funds where the need is most critical immediately and throughout the recovery. The company also intends to utilize its supply chain in impactful ways to aid those fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, including committing to donating 60,000 gloves to healthcare professionals and first responders. The North Face’s North American stores are all currently closed with a tentative re-open date of May 4th.

Charlotte, NC-based sock brand Feetures has partnered with Fleet Feet to donate 20,000 pairs of socks to medical workers across the U.S. though a buy one, give one program. Though Fleet Feet’s Do the Run Thing charitable arm, store customers can purchase Features socks for curbside pickup — and Feetures will donate a pair to local medical workers.

‍Reebok has created a video, “Permission to Pause,” featuring its employees as well as partners including Conor McGregor, Shaquille O’Neal and JJ Watt, encouraging people to stay home and encouraging them as they adjust to the “new normal.” The Boston-based brand has created a team to explore making masks, gowns and other PPE items, and has made a 3 million euro donation to the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Relief Fund in Europe as well as 1.25 million euro donation to the China’s Youth Development Fund. Additionally, it has increased its existing discount for educators, military personnel, first responders and nurses to 50 percent at reebok.com.

‍Merrell, Nathan Sports and Trail Sisters have launched the Run Around the World Camaraderie Challenge to encourage runners around the world to contribute miles to a collective 24,091 (the circumference of the world) effort to bring people together. The suggested $5 entry fee will be donated to the CDC’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.

‍New Balance has set a goal of producing 100,000 face masks weekly at its Lawrence, MA and Norridgewock, ME factories by mid-month. The athletic company said in a statement that it was pursuing break-even pricing or donation for the face masks it creates, and said it was responding to requests for footwear, gowns and other PPE that could use its 3-D printing capabilities.

‍Boathouse, the Philadelphia-based performance apparel maker founded by former U.S. Olympian John Strotbeck, has shifted the assets at its core Sports Team business to focus on the manufacture of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for medical professionals in the Philadelphia market. On April 1, Boathouse inspected and packed its first pallet of masks with first deliveries slated for this week. Besides masks, the company hopes to concurrently manufacturer isolation and surgical gowns.

‍Vionic, owned by St. Louis-based Caleres, has donated shoes from its work/duty Vionic Pro line and orthotics to medical workers.