The community-based milk donation site will expand The Milk Bank’s lifesaving work into Pettis County, Missouri
SEDALIA, Mo July 22, 2025 – Pettis County Health Center has partnered with The Milk Bank to open a Milk Depot, where approved milk donors can drop off donations of frozen breast milk. The Milk Depot is now open to the public, and a grand opening event will take place on August 5, 2025 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Pettis County Health Center, located at 911 E. 16th Street Sedalia, MO 65301.
This is The Milk Bank’s 19th Milk Depot in Missouri, and the first to open in Pettis County. “As an organization dedicated to improving the health of the community, we are thrilled to be able to open a Milk Depot with The Milk Bank,” said Malinda Nevils, Administrator at Pettis County Health Center. “The donations of breast milk collected here will make a major impact in the health and wellbeing of fragile infants who rely on donor milk while in the NICU.”
“Lindsey Curry, Nutritionist, WIC Coordinator and Debbie Anderson, RN took the initiative to check out the details of becoming a collection site. This is a positive move and our entire staff supports this cause. Pettis County Health Center staff understands the need for donor milk and is happy to facilitate the process of donor milk collection,” said Nevils.
Approved milk donors of The Milk Bank can drop-off donations of excess breast milk at the Pettis County Health Center Monday through Thursday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Friday 10:00 am to 12:00 p.m. Donated milk is transported to The Milk Bank – a nonprofit milk bank improving health outcomes for premature and ill infants – where it is processed, analyzed, pasteurized, and distributed to NICUs across the state.
“We are happy to partner with the Pettis County Health Center to ensure a safe and stable supply of pasteurized donor human milk is available for the most fragile infants,” said Freedom Kolb, CEO of The Milk Bank. “As the primary milk bank for Missouri, we are always looking for community focused partners, like Pettis County Health Center, who align with our mission. We are grateful for their help in establishing a convenient, community-based milk donation site to expand this essential and lifesaving work in Central Missouri.”
The grand opening celebration will take place during World Breastfeeding Week, a globally recognized campaign to generate public awareness and support for breastfeeding. More information about the grand opening event can be found at themilkbank.org/events.
To keep up with the need for donor milk, The Milk Bank must screen more than 150 milk donors every month. Every ounce of milk donated can provide up to three feedings for those born too small, too sick, or too soon. Those interested in becoming a milk donor can pre-screened or ask questions on eligibility by contacting The Milk Bank at (317) 536-1670 or visiting themilkbank.org/donate-milk.
About Pettis County Health Center:
The Pettis County Health Center is a local public health agency funded by local taxes, contracts with Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, as well as other grant sources. Their focus is on improving the health of the community.
About The Milk Bank:
The Milk Bank is a non-profit tissue bank dispensing more than 600,000 ounces of pasteurized donor human milk to hospitals and families throughout the region every year. Since its inception in 2005, The Milk Bank has provided more than 15.6 million feedings of safe human milk to those who are often born too small, too sick, or too soon. The Milk Bank improves health outcomes for premature and ill infants, fosters better health for children, and decreases health care expenditures. The Milk Bank follows the strictest safety standards informed by the CDC and FDA and is a proud member of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA). Visit https://www.themilkbank.org/ to learn more.
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Review our press kit and for additional media inquiries, contact Lindsay McGuire, Assistant Director of Advancement – Branding & Outreach, at lmcguire@themilkbank.org or 317-536-1670 ext. 114.
To learn more about how The Milk Bank can serve infants in your community or to support The Milk Bank, visit themilkbank.org.
