Left to Right: Pam Taurence, RN;  Kellogg North America President Paul Norman; and CEO Luanne Thomas Ewald

The end of the school year often marks the end of a guaranteed meal for almost half of Detroit’s children.  In Southeast Michigan, more than 300,000 free or reduced fee breakfasts and lunches are served daily during the school year. 

The Children’s Hospital of Michigan Professional Nurse Council at the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) is leading a community effort to provide area children with a consistent daily meal over summer recess.  The 8th Annual Cereal Drive kicks off on Friday, June 2, and runs through June 9, 2017. The cereal collected will be donated to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan and distributed to over 500 food pantries throughout Southeastern Michigan.

“As one of the best children’s hospitals in the country, we do not just treat sick or injured children, we are also in the business of keeping them healthy,” said Luanne Thomas Ewald,  CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan.  Ms. Thomas Ewald added, “Our nurses and staff really embrace this drive and the important connection it makes between nutrition and healthy kids.”

The Cereal Drive began in June, 2010, and that year the hospital collected 160,757 servings of cereal. Last year, as community awareness increased, we collected over one million servings of cereal and were able to successfully stock the shelves of over 500 food pantries within Southeastern Michigan.

Donations of cereal will be collected from June 2 through June 9, 2017.  Please visit Children’s Hospital of Michigan for more information on how to get involved. To provide a monetary donation for perishable breakfast items, please visit Gleaners Virtual Cereal Drive. 

"Breakfast is such an important meal for growing children," said Gerry Brisson, president of Gleaners. "Yet, it's often skipped by families who struggle to make ends meet. The cereal provided through this remarkable drive will help thousands of kids start their days with the nourishment they need to be happy, not hungry, this summer."