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 6th Annual Cereal Drive kicks off on Friday, May 29, and runs through June 5, 2015. The cereal collected will be donated to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan and distributed to over 600 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 Larry Gold, CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Mr. Gold added, “Our nurses and staff really embrace this drive and the important connection it makes between nutrition and healthy kids.”
Studies show that one in every four Michigan children lives in a household where breakfast is not guaranteed. For Detroit area children, that number is one in two, making the hunger gap even more serious for Southeast Michigan.
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 622,839 servings of cereal and were able to successfully stock the shelves of over 600 food pantries within Southeastern Michigan. For the first time ever, we were able to feed children throughout the entire summer!
“The Metro-Detroit communities really come together and use this opportunity to directly make a contribution and a difference in their neighborhoods. This effort really transcends city boundaries and is one problem with serious health consequences that we can help make a huge dent in as a community,” said Pam Taurence, R.N. and Children’s Hospital of Michigan Professional Nurse Council member.
Donations of cereal will be collected from May 29 through June 5, 2015. Please visit Children’s Hospital of Michigan for a complete list of drop-off locations or, to provide a
monetary donation for perishable breakfast items, please visit Gleaners Virtual Cereal Drive.
New for this year, beginning on Friday, May 29 through Sunday, May 31, the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix has partnered with the Children’s Hospital of Michigan and will be collecting cereal all weekend long at the Cobo Hall and GM Ren Cen shuttle stops!
“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.”
About the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, www.childrensdmc.org
For more than 125 years, the Children’s Hospital of Michigan is the first hospital in the state dedicated exclusively to the treatment of children. With more than 40 pediatric medical and surgical specialties and services, the hospital is a leader internationally in neurology and neurosurgery, cardiology, oncology, and diagnostic services; it is ranked one of America’s best hospitals for children by US News and World Report and Parent Magazine and is recognized for quality and safety by the Leapfrog Group. The Children’s Hospital of Michigan is one of eight hospitals operated by the Detroit Medical Center (DMC).
About Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan (Gleaners):
For over 37 years, Gleaners Community Food Bank has been “feeding hungry people and nourishing our communities.” Gleaners helps alleviate hunger by providing the equivalent of nearly 77,000 meals per day to people who otherwise cannot afford the food they need. Headquartered in Detroit, Gleaners operates a total of five distribution centers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe counties, which provide food to 510 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and other agencies throughout southeastern Michigan. Of every dollar donated, Gleaners uses 94 cents for food and food programs. One dollar provides three meals. Learn more at www.gcfb.org.
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