A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-1498711

Break the Outbreak
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A Break the Outbreak volunteer in a homemade face shield beside a local worker

Protecting the people who keep our communities running

Break the Outbreak is a student-led 501(c)(3). Since April 2020 our volunteers have made face shields and masks by hand and delivered them, free, to grocery stores, restaurants, food banks and senior homes.

Providing help to people in need

  • 22,000+Masks and face shieldsDonated free of charge
  • 53Student chaptersIn 18 states
  • 30,000+Volunteer hoursLogged since April 2020
  • 12,000+ ozHand sanitizerWith partner Muse Health

Our work

When medical-grade masks went to hospitals in 2020, the people stocking shelves, cooking takeout and caring for seniors were left with little protection. Break the Outbreak connects student volunteers with those workers and neighbors, and gets them what they need.

Made by hand

Every face shield and mask is assembled by a volunteer at home, following CDC guidance and our own shield design.

How we work

Care packages

Volunteers put together care packages for isolated seniors, people experiencing homelessness and low-income families.

See our impact

“Break the Outbreak has the personal protective equipment needed to protect our most vulnerable neighbors against COVID-19. Their group already has 37 chapters in 15 states from coast to coast, rallying young people to step up and save lives in our nation’s time of need.”

Office of Rep. Eric Swalwell, November 2020

Free, always

Nobody we help pays for anything. Volunteers give their time to make the equipment, and chapters deliver it themselves to the places that need it most: corner stores, family restaurants, food banks, shelters and senior living communities.

Every chapter is started and run by high school and college students who know their own towns. That is how a single face-shield delivery in Dublin, California grew into a national network in less than a year.

See our impactOur story so far

In their words

“With youngsters showing us the way, we really appreciate it.”

Banana Garden restaurant

“Thank you so much for your kindness and consideration.”

San Ramon orthodontic office

“Thank you very much for the masks again, they are really quite helpful since my neighbors visit me every now and then and I use the masks and sanitizer whenever they're around.”

Dublin small business

“Your emergency support keeps our seniors and caregivers safe and is a meaningful gift. We truly appreciate it.”

On Lok senior services

“The ability to respond to this pandemic with the critical PPE that our healthcare workers need to ensure their safety and the safety of the individuals they serve would not have been made possible without the overwhelming generosity from the community and charitable organizations such as yours.”

Contra Costa County

From our chapters

Break the Outbreak volunteers with donated suppliesVolunteers delivering face shieldsStudent volunteers packing care packages

Our partners

  • Muse Health
  • Best Partner Travel
  • STEM Outside the Box

In the news

As featured in

  • CBS San Francisco
  • KTVU FOX 2
  • SFGATE
  • MSN
  • Patch
  • India Currents
  • Bay City News

See all 30 stories

Research and explainers

It started with one delivery in Dublin, California

In April 2020 a few high school friends hand-delivered face shields to the businesses on their street. Within a year students in 53 cities were doing the same.

Read our story

Chapters across the country

Find the student chapter in your state, or start one in your town.

Start a chapter in your town

We help students set up a chapter, source materials and find the people in their community who need protective equipment.

Get in touchRequest supplies