(pictured above: Lactation and Women's Services staff, Medical Center Alliance, MMBNT's new depot in north Fort Worth)
Texas-Size Support for Sick Babies
The processing lab at Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas (MMBNT) has been busier than ever, pasteurizing and shipping human donor milk to over 100 hospital NICUs and medically needy outpatient babies. Through the generosity of over 5,000 donor mothers, MMBNT has dispensed over 2 million ounces since opening in 2004. But have you ever wondered how all that milk makes it safely to the milk bank? In addition to utilizing perishable overnight shipping programs, MMBNT works with 40 collection sites (also called "depots"). Depots are typically community-based hospitals and health clinics equipped with designated freezers. The latest depots to join the MMBNT family are located in north Fort Worth, the Texas Panhandle and Deep East Texas. These organizations value the life-saving properties of donor milk and provide moms with convenience in their neighborhoods. 
North Fort Worth
Medical Center Alliance opened in February of this year and recently partnered with MMBNT as a depot. Located in north Fort Worth on the east side of I-35, the hospital serves the communities of Justin, Saginaw, Trophy Club, Keller and the entire Alliance Corridor. For depot information and hours, click here.
Texas Panhandle
Located among the oil and gas fields of the Northeast Texas Panhandle in Ochiltree County, Outreach Health Services in Perryton, Texas also recently became a milk collection depot. This location also serves surrounding cities such as Spearman, Canadian and Booker. For depot details, click here.
Deep East Texas
Located in Jasper, Texas, the Jasper Newton County Public Health District joined MMBNT as a depot last month. They provide WIC (Women, Infants and Children) services, immunizations and women's health programs. For depot information, click here . 
There is no doubt that depot sites, like the ones mentioned above, are helping the milk bank meet the growing demand for donor milk. MMBNT Executive Director, Amy Vickers says,
The purpose of our depot program is to streamline the connection between donor moms and the fragile babies who thrive on human milk. It is extremely important to make the selfless act of breastmilk donation as easy and hassle-free as possible. After all, our donors are taking the time to help other babies whose moms can't provide the miracle of breastmilk. It takes true partnership to save these tiny, precious lives.