Thousands of infant formula cans donated to area families
Two large donations of infant formula will soon be making their way to families in the Pittsburgh region. Together, they could help feed thousands of babies for the next few weeks, according to the organizations supplying the formula.
Western Pennsylvania, like the rest of the country, is grappling with a shortage of baby formula after a nationwide recall and pandemic-related supply chain disruptions. The problem began in February when formula maker Abbott Nutrition issued a recall of several of its powdered formulas and closed the Michigan plant that manufactures the products after concerns over bacterial contamination at the facility.
The shortage has left Pittsburgh-area parents scrambling to find formula for their infant children, who rely on it for vital nutrients. The Food and Drug Administration last week reached an agreement with Abbott on conditions to reopen the plant, which could happen as soon as June. Once the plant restarts, it would take six to eight weeks for formula produced there to reach store shelves.
Meanwhile, the first of several government planes sent to Europe, Japan and South Korea to bring formula to the United States has returned. The flights were authorized by President Joe Biden to help increase the supply of formula.
Some local families will see relief sooner, thanks to a major donation from Pittsburgh billionaire Thomas Tull and his wife, Alba, through their philanthropic organization, the Tull Family Foundation. The organization is donating 12,000 cans of Enfamil standard formula to the Greater Pittsburgh area.
“The Tulls want to help solve this crisis. They don’t want to see families in the area suffering,” said Ryan FitzGibbon, a spokeswoman for the Tull Family Foundation. Mr. Tull is part owner of the Steelers.
The foundation is working with Baby2Baby, a Los Angelesbased nonprofit that serves children in poverty, to deliver the formula. Distribution began on Tuesday to hospitals, diaper banks, child care centers and family resource centers in the region. Since the pandemic began, Baby2Baby has delivered more than 300,000 cans of formula across the country, some
of that to Pennsylvania.
The Allegheny County Medical Society Foundation has also secured 1,200 containers of Enfamil formula and will be working with organizations to distribute it in the next few days.
Sara Hussey, executive director of Allegheny County Medical Society, said a colleague with a connection to a medical supply company tracked down the formula last Thursday. Soon after, the society’s officers swiftly approved the purchase of the formula. The professional organization represents physicians in the region, and its foundation aims to advance health and wellness by confronting disparities.
“What we’re seeing through the supply chain is that there’s hopefully relief in sight, but it’s still going to be a couple of weeks before families can find it on the shelves,” Ms. Hussey said. “We’re trying to bridge the gap until the shortage works its way out.”
She said the logistics of getting the formula to Pittsburgh have been challenging, but it is expected to arrive from the distributor on Friday.
The bulk of the order will go to the local Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Beverly’s Birthdays, a Pittsburgh nonprofit that serves families in need. Smaller distributions will go to the Lemieux Children’s Home and Every Child Inc.