MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Wellpoint Tennessee, in partnership with the Murfreesboro Boys & Girls Club and Archie’s Promise, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the installation of a new hygiene vending machine in the Murfreesboro Boys & Girls Club, which provides free essential personal care products to students in underserved communities.
“The Boys & Girls Club has always been a safe place for our youth to grow and thrive,” said state Sen. Shane Reeves. “This new hygiene initiative ensures that every child has the dignity and confidence they need to focus on learning and building a brighter future.”
The vending machine offers items such as deodorant, toothpaste, floss, wet wipes, and both feminine and regular hygiene packs. This initiative supports student health, dignity, and confidence, enabling local youth to focus on their education and personal growth without barriers related to hygiene insecurity.
“Access to basic hygiene products is fundamental to a child’s confidence and success in school,” said Natalie Cooper, president of Wellpoint Tennessee. “By partnering with community organizations, we are addressing an often-overlooked social driver of health that can impact attendance, self-esteem, and mental well-being.”
The ribbon-cutting event took place at the Murfreesboro Boys & Girls Club, where the new vending machine will remain free to the community as a collaborative effort to tackle hygiene insecurity.
“By placing these hygiene vending machines in our community, Wellpoint is helping our kids show up clean, confident, and ready to succeed,” said Keith Churn, executive and unit director of the Murfreesboro Boys & Girls Club. “That kind of investment speaks volumes about their commitment to the well-being of our youth.”
Wellpoint Tennessee’s donation of this vending machine is part of a broader commitment to advancing community wellbeing by removing social and economic barriers to care. Local Boys & Girls Clubs serve as vital safe havens for children facing economic challenges, and this initiative enables students to have free, easy access to hygiene essentials, reducing health-related obstacles.
Community organizations such as Archie’s Promise played a key role in making this project possible, highlighting the power of community collaboration in addressing critical needs for vulnerable youth.
“Installing this machine and offering discreet access helps remove the stigma often linked with asking for help,” said Claressa Ham, founder and executive director of Archie’s Promise. “It is a quiet yet impactful method to make sure students have the essential resources they need to feel confident and supported.”
This initiative is a powerful step toward making sure all youth in Rutherford County have the resources they need to thrive. Wellpoint Tennessee continues to invest in programs that tackle the social determinants of health and strengthen communities across the state.
