FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2025
City of Appleton Department of Public Health opens Milk Depot
Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes (Milk Bank WGL), and the City of Appleton Department of
Public Health have partnered to bring a new human milk drop-off depot to Appleton, Wisconsin. This joint effort
increases access for approved donors and families in the area, to donate lifesaving, critical nutrition for
pediatric patients in need. Starting January 2, 2025, donations will be accepted via appointment only.
“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 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 can visit
www.milkbankwgl.org. 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.
“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.
Approved donors can access the Appleton Department of Public Health Depot Monday – Friday from 9am4pm, by appointment only. The depot is closed on weekends. Before dropping off milk donations, please
contact the Department of Public Health directly.
Individuals interested in donating through Milk Bank WGL can visit www.milkbankwgl.org
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Amanda Hatch, BSN, RN
Dept of Public Health Nurse, City of Appleton
amanda.hatch@appletonwi.gov
920-832-6429
Helen Velazquez
Engagement Coordinator, Milk Bank WGL
helen@milkbankwgl.org
847-262-5134
