Barbara A. Preston, Editor | DECEMBER 28, 2020
Monique Allen met Sue Sardi playing golf at the Cherry Valley Country Club in the Skillman section of Montgomery Township seven years ago, and they have been friends ever since. In April, Sardi was sewing stylish masks for her family and friends to keep them safe. Allen was raising money to help people who needed it during the COVID crisis. Masks for Meals was born during a conversation between the two friends on April 20.
It should be mentioned — these are no ordinary masks. Sardi is an unusually talented designer. As a 24-year-old, she set up her own shop in Soho, where she designed and sold “some of the most luxurious and expensive sweaters imaginable — lavish mixtures of suedes, furs and feathers with angora, cashmere and mohair that retail between $500 and $2,450,” according to The New York Times.
Sardi was known as Susan Beebe then. She had a cult following. Bergdorf Goodman gave her an entire department for her sweaters and separates. After graduating from Parsons School for Design, Sardi appeared to have instant success as an haute couture designer, Allen says. “Her sweaters were so beautifully designed and knitted.”
Montgomery residents can now own one of these designer masks, while contributing to a good cause. All proceeds are donated to charity.
“We create high quality, three-layer cotton masks with filter pockets and adjustable nose and ear pieces,” says Allen, who contributes to the partnership by serving as the sales person, marketing strategist, accountant, and bookkeeper.
In May, Masks for Meals contributed meals to front line hospital workers and first responders, working with local restaurants. “It was a win, win, win,” Allen says. “Sue sewed masks and we were able to: help our front-line workers to feel appreciated; we kept people safe; and we supported small businesses.”
The masks are available for purchase at KiKi D’s in the Princeton North Shopping Center on Route 206 in Skillman (across the street from the Princeton Airport). Masks are also available for sale at Sourland Cycles on the main street in Hopewell Borough; and at the Princeton Racquet Club on Raymond Road in South Brunswick.
Allen and Sardi have sold more than 1,200 masks since May.
Prices are:
Faux fur: $25.
Satin or silk: $20.
Cotton: $15.
View the masks on Instagram at masksformeals_official.
Purchases online may be made by direct messaging an order on Instagram, or via email to: mgallen3@gmail.com. Venmo your donation to @Susan-Sardi. Shipping outside of Montgomery is available for $5.
The program has evolved over time but is still “meal” and “food” focused. “When hospitals were overloaded in the spring, we helped by providing meals for workers. When that subsided, we switched to feeding needy families in the area by supporting a Montgomery initiative ‘Feed a Family,’ the Kids Can Organization, and local foodbanks,” Allen says.
In addition, Sardi and Allen have donated their proceeds to Isles, Homefront, and Christine’s Hope for Kids. They continue to look for opportunities to support local community food needs. “It has been a rewarding experience being able to do what we love and make an impact in the community.”
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