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Purdue Nursing School Graduate Launches Nonprofit to Raise Funds for The Milk Bank
Larissa Velasquez’s nonprofit, Matcha for a Greater Love, raised $8,200 for The Milk Bank
INDIANAPOLIS, September 14, 2026 — Larissa Velaquez started her nonprofit, Matcha for a Greater Love, in March of 2026 with one goal in mind: Raise critical funds for The Milk Bank. By August of 2026, it had raised $8,200, which will provide up to 4,920 feedings of safe donor milk to fragile infants.
“As soon as I stepped foot into The Milk Bank, I knew I wanted to help,” said Larissa. “I knew I wanted to make a difference. I saw not just the love that’s here, but the passion and dedication from all the volunteers and workers here.”
Larissa first visited The Milk Bank in October of 2025, when she was a nursing student at Purdue University School of Nursing. She and her fellow nursing students came for a presentation and volunteer experience as part of their public health clinical. “I instantly fell in love with the purpose and the mission of The Milk Bank,” said Larissa.
She says that her experience at The Milk Bank made her want to make a difference by raising money. Larissa also has a love for matcha, which led her to founding her nonprofit Matcha for a Greater Love, a pop-up matcha and green tea stand that donates 100% of purchases to The Milk Bank.
“We are incredibly grateful to Larissa, Matcha for a Greater Love, its volunteers, and customers for making this donation possible,” said Freedom Kolb, CEO of The Milk Bank. “Larissa’s passion to make a difference and give back is inspiring. It proves anyone can join us on our mission to save infant lives, whether through donations of milk, money, or time.”
Matcha for a Greater Love hosted eight pop-ups this year, and Larissa doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. She will continue to run Matcha for a Greater Love in 2027, adding handcrafted cinnamon rolls alongside her matcha and green tea. “It was a 100% worth it, and I plan to do it all over again.”
About The Milk Bank
The Milk Bank is a non-profit tissue bank dispensing more than 700,000 ounces of pasteurized donor human milk to hospitals and families throughout the region every year. Since its inception in 2005, The Milk Bank has provided more than 17.9 million feedings of safe human milk to infants born too small, too sick, or too soon.
Review The Milk Bank’s press kit and for additional media inquiries, contact Freedom Kolb, CEO, at fkolb@themilkbank.org or 317-536-1670 ext. 109.
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