A $50,000 grant award has allowed the Janesville Community Center to purchase a new vending machine with potentially lifesaving items.

Executive Director Niqi Linneman says the funding allowed for the purchase of the vending machine, narcan, and fentanyl testing strips; but they were also allowed to include a number of general health and wellness items.

Linneman says data shows that in Rock County, Senior Citizens lead data for accidental overdoses because of medication mismanagement, and kids are doing more than just experimenting and are seeking substances.

Linneman says the machine is available through community partners, but they’re hoping to staff volunteers starting in February to open their building more often to those in need.