In the midst of the COVID-19 health crisis, a small group of local residents is getting busy to help whoever they can by providing homemade face masks.

Three women from College United Methodist Church in Warrenton are putting their sewing skills to work, making hundreds of masks for anyone who needs them. They’re among a growing number of people across the U.S. who are using the craft as a way to help their communities.

“I have a box on my front porch, and I let it be known that anyone who needs a mask can get them,” said Warrenton resident Elaine Auch.

“My daughter is an essential worker. She works with disabled and handicapped people,” Auch explained. “I started making a mask for her, and then I thought, ‘Well, people from church would like it.’ Then I kept on getting calls.”

Auch said the masks are available in multiple sizes, for anyone to pick up from her front porch at 302 Steinhagen.

Carol Reustle and Lynn Rees from College United later joined in the project. All three have previously sewn for charity or as a hobby. They already had a hoard of fabric available, so all they had to do was acquire elastic cords and get sewing.

The masks are made with an outer layer of cotton and an inner layer of flannel, with elastic bands on the side. They aren’t as effective as surgical masks at preventing the spread of COVID-19, but Auch said they do enough to provide some benefit.

So far Auch said she’s made over 150 masks, and will keep making more until no one needs them anymore. She said one person picked up 30 to donate to a hospital, and another grabbed 20 more for a doctor’s office.

Reustle said she felt called to help in the project after reading about it in the church newsletter.

“Our church really wants to help the community and share Christ’s love,” she said.

One woman, Robyn Lutz of Wentzville, came to Auch’s house on April 3 to pick up masks for herself and her parents.

“I travel to Columbia to take care of my elderly parents once a week,” Lutz explained. “It’s extremely comforting to have the masks. I’m not comfortable with my parents going to the doctor and not having anything.”

While the masks are free, Auch is asking anyone who takes some to consider donating to the Agape food pantry, which has become a vital lifeline for many in the community.

Michelle Bernth, Agape executive director, said the food pantry has seen a huge increase in clients while people are out of work. But the pantry has also lost its own source of income, its thrift store on Armory Road, which was closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Auch, who serves on Agape’s board of directors, is hoping to raise any money she can to support the pantry.

“I think people should just help any way they can. Making the masks helps the community stay healthy and safe, and it helps Agape,” Auch said.