“As soon as I stepped foot into The Milk Bank, I knew I wanted to help,” says Larissa Velasquez. What she didn’t know in that moment was that her passion to help would lead her to starting a nonprofit.
The Purdue University School of Nursing graduate first came to The Milk Bank as part of her public health clinical. She took a tour of The Milk Bank, learned about the need and impact of safe donor milk, and spent time volunteering alongside 20+ Purdue Nursing students.
“I knew I wanted to make a difference. I saw not just the love that’s here, but just the passion and the dedication from all the volunteers and workers here,” she shared. That was October of 2025.
Over the next five months, Larissa considered how she could best help The Milk Bank, and decided on hosting a fundraiser. “I wanted to just get out there and start making a difference, start raising money. I wanted to donate as quickly as I could.”
In March of 2026, Larissa founded her nonprofit Matcha for a Greater Love, a pop-up matcha and green tea stand that donates 100% of purchases to The Milk Bank. With help from her friends and support from her family, Larissa ran eight pop-ups across five months. In total, she raised $8,200 on behalf of The Milk Bank, which will provide up to 4,920 feedings of safe donor milk to fragile infants.
After multiple months of making matcha, raising awareness about The Milk Bank, and sharing about safe donor milk, Larissa has one thing she wishes all people knew about The Milk Bank. “You can make a difference without donating breast milk,” she said.
“I think that is so important because sometimes you think of The Milk Bank and think, like, oh, well, if I can’t produce breast milk, how can I help? Every dollar can help towards something so much greater. So I wish that people knew how extraordinary even just the smallest donations can be.”
Larissa came back to The Milk Bank headquarters in August to celebrate alongside employees and volunteers. When asked what was key to her success with the fundraiser, she identified having a goal and a purpose, as well as helpful hands to make it all come together.
The Purdue University School of Nursing graduate, who now works as a registered nurse, plans to continue the fundraiser in 2027. Matcha for a Greater Love will be expanding their menu past matcha and green tea with the addition of homemade cinnamon rolls.
“When I take a look back on this year, I feel like I’m ready to do it all over again,” she said. “It was a 100% worth it.”
You can follow Matcha for a Greater Love on Instagram @matchaforagreaterlove
Want to make a financial gift to The Milk Bank that will go towards saving infant lives? Make a donation now!
