KCCI Des Moines Channel 8 recently covered the one-year anniversary of the public health and safety vending machine, located at the Polk County Health Department.
The following supplies have been distributed at no cost to community members:
- 12,500+ sexual and reproductive healthcare-related items (condoms, dental dams, lube, Opill, emergency contraception)
- 3,000+ period packs and hygiene kits
- 2,800+ substance use risk reduction tools
- 1,100+ gun locks
20,000 items translates into an average of 55 items distributed each day! The vending machine is outside and temperature-controlled. This means supplies are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to reduce stigma and allow for privacy. We’re excited to sustain and grow this work and continue to seek grant funding and donations to help make it possible. Every new machine means more access, more safety, and ultimately, more lives saved.