A new machine at the Two Rivers Fire Department is helping the community with more than just providing a life-saving drug.
A ribbon-cutting was held yesterday by the Chamber of Manitowoc County, the Northeastern Wisconsin Area Health and Education Center, and Two Rivers officials for Manitowoc County’s second Public Health Vending Machine.
NEWAHEC Prevention Program Coordinator Emily Longmeyer-Wolf says the machine is an expansion on the first one installed at their office in Manitowoc last year.
But it’s not just for dispensing Narcan to those who want to carry it.
“We have food in there, we have menstrual kits, we have gun locks, we have hygiene kits, lice kits, a ton of different stuff,” she described. “And we also plan to change them seasonally.”
That means in the winter, the machine would provide hats and gloves, small blankets, and hand warmers to those who might need them.
Longmeyer-Wolf says NEWAHEC has heard from partners that resources could be lacking, and that having the public health vending machine will help fill gaps where needed.
She noted it’s important to spread the wealth in places where having health kits is needed.
Longmeyer-Wolf added, “Either people who might not be able to get to Manitowoc to get to that machine and just eliminating the barrier of people to having to go to multiple different places to get these products and just having it at one hub.”
Two Rivers Fire Chief Dave Murack tells Seehafernews.com that the second public health vending machine was put at their fire station because it’s a “central area” of the city.
He says it’s a great way to bridge disparities in the community.
“Whether their getting nourishment or having something just to stay clean,” he noted. “On top of the importance of having Narcan available for those that are using those substances (illegal drugs), and having the strips in there to check for fentanyl in their drugs, it’s something that was a no brainer when we looked at it. How can we help our community and prevent things along the lines.”
It’s also been used even before yesterday’s ribbon-cutting, with Murack saying it needed to be refilled before the event.
The public health vending machine has received criticism for having to be in communities along the lakeshore.
Longmeyer-Wolf noted that there are 75 across Wisconsin, and they are state-funded.
The two in Manitowoc County were funded by a local nonprofit, allowing the machines to have different products.
“I think it’s important for people to remember that everyone is one step away from rock bottom,” she stated. “And that sometimes just having a bottle of water and being able to have ibuprofen, it can be a privilege to some people.”
Just like the one in Manitowoc, Two Rivers residents who want to use the public health vending machine need to enter the code 1234, put in their zip code, and provide their age.
The machine can then dispense two items. NEWAHEC workers and law enforcement thanked all nonprofits who helped make getting the second machine possible.
