When infant formula shortages hit in 2022, one local nonprofit stepped up—quite literally. The Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, based in Elk Grove Village, has been providing pasteurized donor milk to hospitals and families across Illinois and Wisconsin. Demand surged by 20% during the crisis as formula became scarce.
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Giving Babies a Fighting Chance through Milk Donation
🍼 What They Do
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Collect excess milk from generous lactating mothers.
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Screen, test, and pasteurize donations to ensure maximum safety.
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Distribute milk—primarily to NICUs, but also to medically vulnerable infants outside the hospital ABC7 Chicago.
Program manager Susan Urbanski puts it simply: “We accept donations from moms who have a surplus … we test it, we pasteurize it, we bottle it, and we get it back out.” ABC7 Chicago
Scaling Up to Meet Need
To handle growing demand, the milk bank tripled its facility in Elk Grove Village. It now serves around 90 hospitals across Illinois and Wisconsin and stores over 2,000 cubic feet of pasteurized milk.
Why It Matters
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Essential nutrition & health: Donor milk supports fragile infants with vital immune protection.
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Preparedness: After the 2022 crisis, its expanded capacity ensures resilience in future shortages.
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Community-powered: Local mothers donating surplus milk create lifesaving support through generosity and compassion.
How You Can Help
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Donate milk if you’re lactating and have spare supply.
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Spread the word on social media or to local moms’ groups.
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Support the mission – volunteer, donate, or assist with community outreach.
Final Thoughts
The Mothers’ Milk Bank in Elk Grove Village exemplifies community care in action, linking generous donors, rigorous safety standards, and unwavering dedication to give infants the best possible start in life. You can read more about their impact here:
