Dutchess County Encourages Infant Formula Collection

Dutchess County Encourages Infant Formula Collection

Donations of surplus formula accepted at four Community Action
Partnership for Dutchess County locations countywide

Poughkeepsie … Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro today announced the County is partnering with Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County to encourage donations of infant formula for local families, as supply chain issues and product recalls have created a nationwide shortage of many infant formula products.

As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) works closely with manufacturers to increase production and bring supplies back to normal levels, Dutchess County has asked local residents to donate their unused, unopened, unexpired infant formula to benefit local families in need of this critical resource. These excess supplies can be donated and provided to families in need through a partnership with Community Action Partnership.

Dutchess residents are asked not to purchase formula to donate, as this may further reduce supplies for families; but rather, only donate these resources if they already have them in their home. Residents interested in financially contributing to support purchasing formula for families in need can donate online to Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County online at dutchesscap-proof.presencehost.net/how_to_help/donate.html or by calling (845) 452-5104.

County Executive Molinaro said, “There is nothing more vital to a child’s development than proper nutrition, and the current nationwide shortage of infant formula can leave parents in a dire predicament. Dutchess County is famous for its generosity and sense of community, and we ask local parents who have surplus formula in their cupboards to share it with families in need. Raising healthy children is a shared responsibility, and if you’re able to help fellow parents through this difficult time, we hope you will consider sharing this critical commodity.”

Beginning today, drop-off of unused, unopened, unexpired infant formula can be made at four locations throughout Dutchess County:

Poughkeepsie
77 Cannon Street
Monday through Friday, 1-4:30 p.m.

Beacon
10 Eliza Street
Monday through Friday, 1-4:30 p.m.

Dover
3414 Route 22
Monday through Friday, 1-4:30 p.m.

Red Hook
44 East Market St.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1-4:30 p.m.

Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth C. Spira said, “The recent formula shortage affects local families of every demographic. We are grateful to Dutchess County Government and County Executive Molinaro for assisting us to help the hardest impacted families in our community who have the challenging, yet rewarding, task of raising healthy and successful children.”

Parents having difficulty finding formula for their children locally are urged to call their pediatrician, contact local food banks, call Community Action Partnership for Dutchess County at (845) 452-5104 extension 103. The New York Milk Bank may also be a resource, particularly for babies needing specialized formulas due to allergies or insensitivities; parents can visit nymilkbank.org for more information.

The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health offers the following tips for local parents having difficulty finding infant formula:

• Do not make homemade formula, as homemade formulas may not provide babies the right levels of nutrients;

• You can switch brands in formulas, as for most infants, it is safe to switch to any available brand of formula, including store brands. Parents should ask their pediatrician about specialty formula alternatives that will be safe for their child;

• Do not start using cow milk, juices, solid foods, or toddler formula before recommended by your pediatrician; and

• Do not overdilute the formula, as adding extra water to formula can lead to serious health problems for children.

Families interested in assistance receiving support form a lactation specialist to increase their supply of breast milk and/or restart breast milk supply should contact their healthcare provider as well as their insurance carrier about lactation related services that may be covered. Additional information about infant formula safety is available from the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/infant-formula-safety-dos-and-donts.