Third Strand

MISSION

Third Strand works to provide safe donor breast milk to:

Nursing babies who have lost a mother
Nursing babies whose mothers are unable to breastfeed, due to cancer and other life-threatening illnesses
Adopted newborns

HISTORY

Third Strand was founded in 2016, following the unexpected death of Kalee Joy-Barton. Kalee passed away shortly after bringing her newborn baby boy home from the hospital. In the days that followed, mothers from across the region began arriving with donations of their own breast milk for the baby. It was the most beautiful and selfless act of generosity in the midst of the darkest storm. Inspired by this act of kindness, Third Strand was born, becoming the first, and only, nonprofit milk bank in the United States to provide safe donor milk to families, at no cost to them.

Third Strand works to provide up to 1,300 ounces of milk to a baby, enough to feed them for approximately two-months. Milk donations are received from across the United States. Third Strand works to cover all shipping costs associated with milk donations. In 2024, Third Strand partnered with Milkify, becoming the first and only nonprofit milk bank, in the world, to distribute 100% freeze-dried donor breast milk to families at no cost. This innovation makes the donor milk process safer and easier than ever before.

In addition to feeding babies, Third Strand works as an advocate for our Third Strand families, ensuring accessibility to donor milk in hospitals, education, and continued support. Third Strand also consults with hospitals and physicians, ensuring current policies and procedures that provide equitable opportunity to donor milk for all families.

To date, Third Strand has distributed over $2M-worth of donor milk to families in nearly every state in the U.S.

BEYOND THE MILK

While feeding babies is the platform of Third Strand, the purpose of Third Strand is to simply love and serve others. After distributing milk, Third Strand continues to offer support for our families. Third Strand shares each individual story in order to provide inspiration and encouragement for other families navigating similar life storms and situations. Third Strand also provides connection to other families who have navigated similar situations.

Most importantly, Third Strand continues to pray over every Third Strand family.

FUNDING

Your financial support is essential to the work we do. On average, it costs approximately $1,000 for every baby fed by Third Strand. Since 2016, Third Strand has remained funded, solely by people and organizations who believe in the work we do. As we continue to grow, it is important that funding grows as well. It is our goal to never turn down feeding a baby due to a lack of funds! All financial donations go directly to cover shipping costs, processing costs, and general operational expenses associated with Third Strand. Third Strand is a 501c3, and all contributions are tax deductible.

THANK YOU

From our Board of Directors, we would like to sincerely say Thank You for choosing to support Third Strand. We hope that you continue to follow along on our journey!

Third Strand 2026

Third Strand 2026 Fundraising Campaign