Appleton Department of Public Health opens breast milk depot

APPLETON, WI- (WISS) – Lactating mothers in the Fox Cities can donate breast milk to help pediatric patients in need thanks to a partnership between the City of Appleton Public Health Department and the Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes (Milk Bank WGL).

The Milk Depot, as it’s called, is a joint effort to increase access for approved donors and families in the area to donate lifesaving, critical nutrition for pediatric patients in need.

“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. The families that are able to donate this invaluable resource are superheroes. The Appleton Department of Public Health establishing a milk depot is really an amazing community asset for our generous donors.”

The milk depot will accept breast milk donations from healthy, lactating women who are screened and approved as donors through Milk Bank WGL. 

“We are excited to be a drop-off site for the Mother’s Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes.  Previously, the nearest locations were Green Bay and Oshkosh.  Our site makes this more convenient for local donors.” Amanda Hatch BSN, RN, City of Appleton Department of Public Health Nurse.

Individuals interested in donating through Milk Bank WGL can visit the website to apply. The donor application process typically takes about two weeks.

Upon collection, donations are transported to the milk bank’s processing facility in Elk Grove Village, Ill., 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 Wisconsin and Illinois hospitals, including Ascension NE Wisconsin: St. Elizabeth Campus, Aurora Baycare Medical Center, Fox Valley Hospital-Children’s Wisconsin, and more. 

Donor milk is primarily used in the NICU or postpartum unit. Individuals looking to purchase donor milk for home use can visit www.milkbankwgl.org for a list of milk dispensaries or to fill out an outpatient interest form.

Approved donors can access the Appleton Department of Public Health Depot Monday – Friday from 9am- 4pm, by appointment only. The depot is closed on weekends. Before dropping off milk donations, please contact the Department of Public Health directly.