Gleaners, DMC, Patch Team Up for Virtual Cereal Drive

One of the unintended consequences marking the end of the school year is the end of subsidized meal programs for children that otherwise may not have a breakfast to to begin their day.

Starting Friday, you can help Patch, Children's Hospital of Michigan (DMC) and Gleaners Community Food Bank in the effort to collect cereal that will help families bridge the gap for children reliant on meal programs until next fall by purchasing and donating food during Patch's virtual food drive.

From May 31 through June 7, donors can shop online to purchase cereal items, or leave donations via a special website established by Gleaners at any time. Or they can also drop off boxes of cereal in designated areas at any DMC location throughout Metro Detroit, including West Bloomfield and Royal Oak.

It the fourth time Gleaners and the DMC partnered to make a difference during the summer with a cereal drive, but first with an online component. Last year, the effort collected the equivalent of 400,000 servings of cereal for children, said Natalie Fotias, Marketing Manager for Gleaners.

In November, Patch readers across 30 Michigan communities raised more than $5,500 to help fight hunger in Metro Detroit with a virtual food drive. It was a first for both Gleaners and Patch. 

"Unfortunately, the need is growing even with the rebound we've seen or experienced in the economy," Fotias said. The Kids Count in Michigan 2011 report indicated that one in every four children in Michigan live in poverty. It also states that more than 30 percent of Michigan children live in households enrolled in the Food Assistance Program and that nearly half qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.

Get Involved

• Friday, May 31st: Cereal Drive kick-off at Children’s Hospital, in Detroit, from 7-10 a.m. Event hosted by WJLB.
  
• Monday, June 3rd: The Detroit Symphony Orchestra string quartet will perform at the GM Wintergarden in the Ren Cen from 12–1 p.m.
  
• Tuesday, June 4th: WJLB’s Coco appearance with Mr. Chase, WMXD on the air from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  
  
• Wednesday, June 5th: Fresh 100.3 personality Jay Towers will host listeners at 13 Mile and Woodward (Kroger) in Royal Oak for a “Fill the Bus with Cereal” event from 6–9 a.m. The bus will then drive to Children’s Hospital for nurses and doctors to unload the cereal.
  
• Thursday, June 6th: Channel 95.5 personality MOJO will host cereal collection at Hillers’ Market in West Bloomfield from 12–2 p.m. 
  
• Friday, June 7th: Cereal Drive Wrap Up/Celebration hosted by Jay Towers at  Children’s Hospital, from 12–2 p.m. A group photo is planned at 12:30 p.m.