Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank Opens Milk Depots in Battle Creek and Portage
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. - Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank announces the opening of two new breast milk drop off locations for lactating moms to donate their milk to infants in need.
“The need for breast milk is constant. We really appreciate the moms who have extra and are willing to share, which is why we want to make the process easier for them. Having a depot in Battle Creek and one in Portage makes it more convenient for moms in these areas to donate their milk, plus it allows us to serve more babies in need,” said Lindsay Stark, supervisor at Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank.
The two new depots are located at established medical practices: Bronson Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists at 3238 Capital Ave. SW in Battle Creek and Bronson Rambling Road Pediatrics at 2680 W. Centre Ave in Portage.
Employees at each Bronson practice are trained to collect, intake and process donated breast milk, which is stored in a freezer at the depot for up to 24 hours. A representative from Mothers’ Milk Bank will then pick up the donations for screening, analysis and pasteurization in the lab. Once processed, the milk is dispensed to hospital neonatal intensive care units and/or outpatient families throughout Michigan and across the United States.
To drop off milk at a depot, interested donors must first be approved, pass a health screening and have bloodwork completed. Once approved, donors have three options to get their milk to Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank; they can ship it directly, drop off at the milk bank or drop off at a milk depot. As an added benefit and to encourage more donations – all fees for bloodwork and shipping costs are covered by the milk bank.
The goal is to continue to add more depot locations across the state.
If you are a healthy mother interested in donating your breast milk, visit bronsonhealth.com/milkbank or call (269) 341-6146 for more information.
Photo Captions
Photo 1: Staff of Bronson Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists join Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank representatives for a Ribbon-tying Ceremony to signify their partnership and the opening of the new Milk Depot at 3238 Capital Ave. SW in Battle Creek. Pictured left to right: Lindsay Starks, Mothers’ Milk Bank supervisor; Jenny Ames, OB/GYN Practice Manager; Dr. Briana Brinkley, OB/GYN Physician; Naomi Kellems, OB/GYN Practice Clinical Supervisor; Sarah Clark, Clinical Nutrition System Manager
Photo 2: Staff of Bronson Rambling Road Pediatrics at 2680 W. Centre Ave in Portage join Bronson Mothers’ Milk Bank representatives for a Ribbon-tying Ceremony to signify their partnership and the opening of the new Milk Depot. Pictured left to right: Lindsay Starks, Mothers’ Milk Bank supervisor; Zaida Rosario, Milk Bank Systems Coordinator; Dr. Megan Sikkema, Pediatrics Physician; Angela Terry, Practice Clinical Coordinator; Cindy Lee, Pediatrics Practice Manager; Sarah Clark, Clinical Nutrition System Manager
