Utica Royalties will use support from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield to replenish its Hygiene Pantry, which provides free personal-care supplies to Oneida County children and families facing financial hardship. This includes contributions to the Utica Royalties hygiene pantry.
In a November 2 announcement, Excellus said its Health and Wellness Award helps stock soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo and menstrual products. The insurer did not state the award amount.
What the support will do
Excellus projects that the program will reach about 200 people, including young people, low-income households and refugee families. That is an expected reach, not a count of people already served. The organization plans to track distribution, repeat visits and participant feedback.
The pantry builds on services Phoenix reported on in February, when Utica Royalties celebrated its youth center at 730 Broadway. The new development is the November funding announcement, not the first existence of hygiene assistance.
How to ask for help
Contact Utica Royalties at 315-224-5277 and ask about current supplies and distribution arrangements. A pantry-specific walk-in schedule was not verified as of November 3, so confirm before traveling.
Featured image: Original Utica Phoenix explanatory graphic, not a photograph of pantry inventory.
