Utica Royalties’ Hygiene Pantry Provides Free Essential Hygiene Products to Families Across Oneida County

Key Points

• Providing Essential Hygiene Products: Through a partnership with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Utica Royalties’ new Hygiene Pantry offers free personal care items, including soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo and menstrual hygiene products, to children, youth and families facing financial hardship throughout Oneida County.
• Supporting Health, Dignity and Financial Stability: By helping families access basic necessities at no cost, the program promotes health and well-being while allowing households to direct limited resources toward other essential needs such as food, housing and transportation.
• Strengthening Community Partnerships: Through collaboration with schools, nonprofit organizations and community partners, the Hygiene Pantry expands access to essential resources and helps address hygiene insecurity across the region.

UTICA, N.Y. – Utica Royalties’ new Hygiene Pantry is helping address hygiene insecurity in Oneida County by providing free essential hygiene and personal care products to local children, youth and families facing financial hardship.

Funding support for the program is provided through a Health and Wellness Award from Excellus BCBS, helping the organization maintain and replenish pantry supplies, including soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo and menstrual hygiene products, throughout the year. Through this partnership, the pantry is able to offer resources that promote health, wellbeing, confidence and dignity, helping individuals and families fully participate in school, work and community life.

Utica Royalties, a nonprofit organization focused on youth development, mentorship and community engagement, created the Hygiene Pantry to meet a growing need among underserved families. Working alongside schools, community organizations and local partners throughout Oneida County, the program provides access to essential supplies at no cost to participants.

With support from Excellus BCBS, the organization's Health and Wellness Program helps provide local residents with essential personal care items, including soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo and menstrual hygiene products. Through this partnership, the pantry is able to offer resources that promote health, well-being, confidence and dignity, helping individuals and families fully participate in school, work and community life.

"Too often, families are forced to make impossible choices between purchasing hygiene products and paying for other basic necessities," said Hawa Peters, co-founder and executive director of Utica Royalties. "Everyone deserves access to the essentials that help them feel healthy, confident and valued. The Hygiene Pantry is about more than providing products. It's about supporting dignity, removing barriers and ensuring that every child and family has the opportunity to thrive."

The Hygiene Pantry is expected to directly impact approximately 200 individuals, including low-income households, youths and refugee families. In addition to improving access and reducing financial barriers to hygiene products, the initiative aims to promote health equity, support student success, strengthen community partnerships and promote personal wellness and self-esteem.

Funding for the program is provided through a Health and Wellness Award from Excellus BCBS, helping the organization maintain and replenish pantry supplies throughout the year.

"Good health starts with access to basic necessities," said Tony Vitagliano, regional president, Utica Region, Excellus BCBS. "The Utica Royalties Hygiene Pantry is addressing an important community need by ensuring local children and families have access to essential personal care products. We are proud to support a program that promotes health, dignity and opportunity for our neighbors across the region."

Program success will be measured through the volume of supplies distributed, the number of individuals served, repeat pantry utilization and participant feedback. By tracking these outcomes, Utica Royalties will continue evaluating the program's impact and ensuring families have access to the resources they need to live healthier lives.

Contact:
Scott Gwilt Scott.gwilt@excellus.com 3157310076