Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes (Milk Bank WGL) and the Will County Health Department have partnered to bring a new human milk drop-off depot to Joliet. This joint effort increases access for approved donors and families in the area to donate lifesaving, critical nutrition for pediatric patients in need. The grand opening will be on August 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will feature a latch-on event at 10:30 a.m. followed by an informational presentation on the milk bank at noon. A ceremonial ribbon cutting will take place at 1 p.m. Raffle prizes, kid-friendly activities, and a photo booth all are part of the grand opening event.
“The benefits of breastmilk are endless, and the need for donor milk is substantial,” said Diana Visvardis, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program Manager at the Will County Health Department. “We wanted to be a part of the solution and offer Will County a convenient site for local donors to be able to drop off their milk. Becoming a milk depot also allows for breastfeeding promotion and awareness in our community.”
The new milk drop-off depot at the Will County Health Department, 501 Ella Avenue in Joliet, will accept milk donations from healthy, lactating women who are screened and approved as donors through Milk Bank WGL. Individuals interested in donating through Milk Bank WGL may visit www.milkbankwgl.org.
Upon collection, donations are transported to the milk bank’s processing facility in Elk Grove Village, where the milk is pasteurized to eliminate viruses and bacteria. The pasteurized milk is tested by a third-party lab and distributed to hospitals and outpatients in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Most of the pasteurized donor human milk dispensed by Milk Bank WGL is delivered to Illinois and Wisconsin hospitals, including hospitals in Will County. Donor milk is primarily used in the NICU or postpartum unit. Individuals looking to purchase donor milk for home use are asked to visit www.milkbankwgl.org for a list of milk dispensaries or to fill out an outpatient interest form.
“Donor milk is lifesaving for medically fragile babies,” said Amber Barnes, clinical manager at the Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes. “Many of the smallest patients’ care plans rely on this essential nutrition. Families that are able to donate this invaluable resource are superheroes. The Will County Health Department establishing a milk depot is really an amazing community asset for our generous donors.”
Approved donors typically may access the Will County Health Department Depot on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in addition to Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The depot is closed on weekends. Before dropping off milk donations, it is always best to check with the site to verify availability.
For more information, please contact the Will County Health Department’s WIC program at 815-727-8524.