Donate online or in person May 29 - June 5 to support kids during summer break

DETROIT – For children across Southeast Michigan who depend on the school cafeteria for reliable meals, summer vacation can mean hunger.

In Michigan every day, 1 in 5 children faces hunger, up from 1 in 7 children in 2021, according to the nationwide network of food banks and programs, Feeding America. And nearly 40% of Michigan households receiving government assistance for food in Michigan have children.

To help, the Children’s Hospital of Michigan’s Professional Nurse Council and Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan are kicking off the 17th annual “Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive.” The Cereal Drive is taking place both virtually and in-person at Children’s Hospital of Michigan locations and other spots in the community from May 29 to June 5, 2025. Also, May 18-June 1, the Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union will be holding a collection at all their locations during regular business hours. Additional sponsors include WNIC 100.3-FM and iHeart Media.

“This community effort provides children with a consistent daily meal over summer recess – an important way to support children’s health,” said Children’s Hospital of Michigan interim CEO Brittany Lavis, CEO of Detroit Medical Center. “We don’t want to just treat children when they are sick. We want to be part of the community effort to keep children healthy, too. And we know a healthy diet plays an important part.”

Pam Taurence, a registered nurse at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, founded the Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive in 2010. Pam and her fellow nurses noticed that many of their youngest patients were losing access to school-based nutrition programs during the summer months. So Pam rallied her fellow nurses and her community to help the children and families struggling with hunger. Since the effort began, the Cereal Drive has collected more than 13 million servings of cereal, including an option to purchase cereal and milk online.

“When school lets out, too many children lose steady access to the meals they count on—and that’s a worry no child should carry,” said Angela Halverson, Director of Community Giving for Gleaners. “That’s why community partnership and support matter so much, especially through efforts like The Cereal Drive. When we come together, we can help children stay nourished all summer and prepared to return to the classroom in the fall.”

Milk is one of the most sought-after products at Gleaner’s distributions. In its fiscal year 2025, Gleaners distributed nearly 844,000 gallons of fluid milk at local distribution sites. As part of the Cereal Drive, Gleaners’ partner, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, will match each online milk donation dollar-for-dollar – up to 80,000 servings of milk – during the month of June, National Dairy Month.

After the Cereal Drive wraps up June 5, all of the physical cereal is transported to Gleaners’ South Campus in Taylor to be distributed within Gleaners’ more than 300 partner soup kitchens, agencies, pantries and other hunger-relief organizations in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe counties.

TO DONATE:

To donate cereal or milk online, visit www.childrensdmc.org/CerealDrive.

To drop off boxes of unopened cereal, visit:

Drop-off through June 1
Michigan Schools & Government Credit UnionPre-Drive Collection
All locations will be collecting cereal during regular business hours.
Visit www.msgcu.org for hours and locations.

May 29 and June 1-5: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June 6: 8:00 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Children's Hospital of Michigan
3901 Beaubien Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48201
People can pull up to the circle drive to drop off cereal. Valet will be aware of the drive and bins will be in the lobby for cereal drop-off. 

Saturday, May 30
Southgate Kroger
16705 Fort Street, Southgate, 48195
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jay Towers, Allyson, and Chelsea will be hosting from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Thursday, June 4
Royal Oak Kroger
2200 Twelve Mile Road, Royal Oak, 48067
6:00 a.m. to noon
Jay Towers and WNIC 100.3-FM will be hosting this event and broadcasting live from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., along with live shots with Fox 2.

Saturday, June 13

Troy Children’s Hospital of Michigan – Safety event

350 West Big Beaver Road, 48084

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

As arranged
To schedule a drop-off at other times between May 29-June 5 or for assistance with larger drop-offs, call 313-745-6456.

A healthy cereal typically:

• Is low in sugar, with 6 grams or less per serving
• Is a maximum 200 calories per serving
• Has at least 3 grams of fiber per serving
• Contains at least 16 grams of fiber per serving and lists 100% whole grain as the first ingredient
• Contains no artificial colors or sweeteners

Examples of healthy choices include:

• Kellogg’s Corn Flakes
• Kellogg’s Rice Krispies
• Kellogg’s Crispix Cereal
• General Mills Cheerios
• General Mills Kix
• General Mills Wheaties
• Barbara’s Shredded Wheat
• Kashi Honey Sunshine
• Quaker Oats

For more information, visit www.childrensdmc.org/CerealDrive