In an effort to provide milk to Port Hope families that need it, staffs from the local Health Unit are raising funds for the Milk for Moms health and nutrition program based in Northumberland County.

The program, which was created in 2000, provides vouchers that can be exchanged for a free bag of milk to expecting mothers and less fortunate families with kids less than 12 years of age. Other agencies in Northlumberland have lent a hand by helping raise funds and the like. Each month, vouchers are distributed to families in the region, which can be redeemed at pre-selected stores in the area.

So far, Health Unit employees have collected over $500, which they raised through donation campaigns and fundraiser draws they held in the last few weeks of 2009. According to one of the program’s organizers, providing milk keeps in line with the Health Unit’s goal of spreading the importance of good nutrition. Raising funds for Milk for Moms is an avenue for them to lead by example, she added.

The Milk for Moms program is a service under the wing of the Northumberland Child Development Centre, which receives funding from the Northlumberland County and communities under it like Port Hope.