ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A local seamstress is sewing face masks and giving them to people who need them.
Lynne Peterson said her business, Costumes by Lynne, is temporarily closed. She usually makes costumes.
"I have been doing this professionally for about 10 yeas, but my mother was a seamstress. My grandmother was a seamstress so I grew up doing this," said Peterson.
Peterson placed her business on hold. Instead, she is now sewing face coverings.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people wear face coverings when going out in public. The face cover should cover your nose and mouth.
"Over and over, I kept seeing people who were looking for masks and couldn't find them and when they could find them a lot of the prices were just not possible because people are out of work and it's hard times for everyone," said Peterson.
Peterson provides the face masks for free. She said people may reach out to her on her Facebook.
"We're not making a profit. We're not selling. We're not doing any of that...it's completely free to the community and people who need them," said Peterson.
Peterson said her orders mainly come from the elderly population and people with compromised immune systems.
The community is also reaching out to her.
"I've had multiple people helping me cut fabric. It's been overwhelming. It has been amazing. The community really stepped up. They've donated time. They've donated materials," said Peterson.