TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - The mask shortage during this coronavirus pandemic can be overwhelming, and one local woman saw the need and is making them from her own home.

This week's Hometown Hero is Verna Hampton.

Millions of Americans are out of work because of the coronavirus pandemic, including Hampton. However, instead of losing hope, she found a way to restore it making homemade masks.

She lost her job a month ago. She quickly joined a friend in making masks for local nursing homes and hospitals. And now her homemade masks are in high demand.

But Hampton makes the masks for free. She said it’s not about the money but to help people in her community feel hopeful and safe.

Now people in the community are calling Hampton a hero, but she feels differently.

“I’m very honored, but I don’t feel like a hero," she said. "I’m just doing what I can to help others. There are so many people who are really the heroes: the nurses, the doctors, our truck drivers, pharmacists, the people having to work at our local stores to keep us going. Those are the heroes; they’re out here every day putting their lives at risk.”

But Hampton's effort to help healthcare workers is now helping her entire community.

If you would like to nominate a Hometown Hero, open this link.