Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank Opens New Depot in Kent County

Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank is Michigan’s only non-profit milk bank and one of just a few dozen in the country, serving hospitals across Michigan and beyond. Since 2006, Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank has been dedicated to providing safe, pasteurized donor milk for babies in need. Now, with the opening of a new milk donation center, also called a milk bank depot, south of Grand Rapids in Cutlerville, more families will have access to this vital resource.

This is the second Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank Depot to open in Kent County and will be located at Corewell Health Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology in Cutlerville. Kent County is among the top three counties in Michigan for donations to the Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank, making the greater Grand Rapids area ideal for a new drop-off site.

“We are thrilled that Corewell Health played a key role in making this depot a reality,” says Lindsay Starks, manager at Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank. “Having another depot in Grand Rapids will make it easier for local donors to contribute their milk while also helping us provide more babies with the vital nutrition and antibodies found in breast milk.”

Why Donor Milk Matters

Human milk provides critical nutrients that support infant health, particularly for premature babies in need. When parents cannot provide their own milk, donor milk offers the next best option—helping to improve outcomes and reduce the length of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stays.

“The best part about these depots is the convenience for our donors,” says Starks. “Expanding access to more locations will help increase both the volume and consistency of milk donations, making it easier to process and deliver milk where it’s needed .”

How the Donation Process Works

Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank using provided coolers, drop it off at the milk bank or deliver it to a designated depot. To encourage donations, the milk bank covers all bloodwork and shipping fees.

Employees at Corewell Health are trained to collect, intake and prepare the donated milk for transfer to Bronson. It is stored in a freezer at the depot until a milk bank staff member picks up the donation or it is shipped to the milk bank directly for screening, analysis and pasteurization in the lab. Once processed, the milk is dispensed to hospital NICUs and/or outpatient families throughout Michigan and across the United States.

How to Get Involved

With the need for donor milk always high, you can make a real difference in the lives of babies who depend on it.

“After a year of exclusively pumping and seeing firsthand the difference donor milk can make for babies in need, I’m forever grateful for organizations like the Mothers’ Milk Bank.” Says Kara, a recent donor, “I hope to be back and donating in the next year or two, and I encourage others to join me in giving the gift of life-saving milk.”

If you’re interested in donating, visit bronsonhealth.com/milkbank or call (269) 341-6146 to learn more.
To explore our new depot location, visit https://bronsonhealth.us/mothers-milk-bank-cutlerville