First Lady Maria Lee, TennCare hosts diaper distribution event in Hardeman County - WBBJ TV

BOLIVAR, Tenn. — One local benefit event supported families in Hardeman County that are in need.

Hudson Drug Store’s parking lot had over 100 guests who signed up beforehand to get free diapers. First Lady Maria Lee and TennCare partnered together to make this diaper benefit event possible.

“I feel like families are the backbone of our communities. Strong families, when they’re thriving, our communities thrive and therefore our state flourishes,” said First Lady Lee.

Items such as bottles, wipes and formula were also given out to families. First Lady Lee said that one thing her initiative, Tennessee Serves, does is deal with distressed counties, which led them to Hardeman County.

“We’ve decided to come here to Bolivar and Hardeman for that reason, but also because the diapers are being distributed through pharmacies through TennCare,” said First Lady Lee.

The director of TennCare told us that, since this program started over two months ago, TennCare has helped over 28,000 children. TennCare also had three of their partners on the lot assisting with distributing items.

“BlueCross, United and WellPoint. They work with TennCare on a regular basis. They administer our program through what we call the ‘Managed Care Organization,’ and so that’s why they are here. We’re just getting started, but just as the first lady said, this is something that we can do to support families and that’s what the governor’s Strong Family Initiative is all about,” said Stephen Smith, director of TennCare.

Smith also says Governor Lee announced a few weeks ago that they are utilizing $100 million of shared savings through TennCare to assist communities affected by Hurricane Helene with water, wastewater repair and debris removal.

For more local news, click here.