Donations beyond milk

Children's Milk Fund

Saturday, March 25, 2006

The Children's Milk Fund was started in 1945 to satisfy the need for milk for children in families that could not usually afford it. Today, over 60 years later, advances in nutritional knowledge have determined that newborn infants need a "formula" to attain optimum health if their mothers choose not to, or cannot, breast feed.

Mothers who qualify may apply for the state's Women, Infants, Children program to obtain coupons for formula each month, but the amount provided almost always runs out before the month is over, says Milk Fund volunteer Marilyn Coburn. And that's where the Milk Fund comes in.

During January and February, Marilyn had 10 calls for formula, some from families of up to six or seven children who need both milk and formula. Marilyn normally approves one can of formula per month, which usually matches what WIC provides. The cost of formula averages about $12 per can, she says. Many of the requests come through the Knox County Health Department.

A spokesperson at the Health Department, which administers the WIC program, informs us that about half of the mothers qualifying for its services require formula for their infants for abut the first year, usually because they opt not to breast feed. There are many kinds of milk- and soy-based formulas, which include additives such as antioxidants and electrolytes and they vary in price, we were told. They come concentrated in either powder or liquid form and require dilution before being fed by the parent to the infant.

"The closing of factories and businesses and increased costs have led to families needing more help now," Marilyn says. In January, she received 24 calls and approved 24 gallons of milk and five cans of formula, and in February, 15 calls for approval of 13 gallons and five cans. Call Marilyn at 289-2406.

Sharon Amick, Milk Fund volunteer for the Abingdon area, in January provided 16 families with 18 gallons of milk and two cans of formula, and in February, nine families were given 10 gallons. Calls included a special request for two cans of formula for twins in Macomb, she said. Call Sharon at (309) 486-3425 or 337-1373.

Volunteer LuAnn Wall, the Milk Fund's coordinator for donated clothing and household items, has reported providing a stove for a home as well as distributing blankets, pillows and children's clothing. "Children's sizes 8 and 9 are especially needed," she says. "Many donors are offering furniture, such as kitchen tables and chairs, and davenports," she adds. Call LuAnn at 341-2429.

Secretary/treasurer Shirley Taylor, who provided families with five gallons of milk and nine cans of formula during the past two months, has announced the following recent contributions:

Eleanor Pagano, $60; St. Vincent DePaul Society, $40; Knoxville Council of Churches, $100; memorial for Ethel DeWitt from Alta Fox, $25; and in memory of Donna Jones, Mae Edwards, Gloria White and Virginia "Ginny" Jones from their friends, The Troop, $10.

Contributions may be sent to: Shirley Taylor, treasurer, Children's Milk Fund, c/o Moon Towers, 255 W. Tompkins St., Galesburg, IL 61401.