DETROIT, Mich., May 18, 2020 -- For the past 10 years the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Professional Nurse Council at the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) has partnered with Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan to lead a community effort to provide children with a consistent daily meal over summer recess.

Now more than ever, kids in Southeast Michigan need access to healthy breakfast options throughout the summer. Over the last ten years, together, we have raised 10,849,328 million servings of cereal. This year, we understand during this challenging time, it will be difficult to execute our annual Cereal Drive.

Although we cannot get together and fill buses and trucks with cereal, we can continue to help children eat this summer by donating whatever you can to our Virtual Cereal Drive. At the Children’s Hospital of Michigan we see firsthand the impact food insecurity has on children’s health. The hospital does not just treat sick or injured children; we work to keep the children and families in our community healthy, and your support is appreciated now more than ever.

“With extended school closures and the summer months ahead, 300,000 students in Southeast Michigan who rely on school meals are at risk of going hungry,” said Gerry Brisson, Gleaners’ President and CEO. “During this urgent time, Virtual Food Drives offer a safe way for everyone to directly contribute to the fight against childhood hunger. We are honored to stand with the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Together with our community, we can make a tremendous difference for families in need.”

The 11th Annual Cereal Drive, and first Virtual Cereal Drive will kick off May 18 and runs through June 8. All virtual donations will go to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan to support the community wherever the need is greatest this year.

Simply visit ChildrensDMC.org/CerealDrive to help feed children in our community this summer or request assistance for your family or a child you know. We look forward to June 2021, to once again be together filling buses and trucks of cereal.