The Will County Health Department has opened its second breast milk depot in partnership with Mother’s Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, expanding access to donated breast milk for families in need.

The new depot at the department’s Northern Branch Office in Bolingbrook held its grand opening June 13th, with the first donor contributing an impressive 1,000 ounces – equivalent to 10 gallons – of breast milk on opening day.

The health department serves as a collection point for approved donors, with Mother’s Milk Bank handling the screening, pasteurization and distribution process. Donors must complete blood work and health questionnaires before approval, and the donated milk is stored in specialized freezers provided by the milk bank.

“Mother’s Milk Bank of Western Great Lakes then comes and picks it up, pasteurizes it, and then gets it out to hospitals, NICU units, and mothers that maybe could not supply enough for their babies,” explained Elizabeth Bilotta, Executive Director.

The program supports families whose infants require breast milk but cannot access adequate supplies through traditional means. The milk bank distributes to hospitals with neonatal intensive care units and directly to families in need.

Breast milk can be stored safely at room temperature for up to four hours, refrigerated for up to four days, and frozen for six to twelve months when properly stored, according to health department officials.

The first depot operates at the main health department facility, with both locations now providing convenient access points for donors throughout Will County.