Local hospitals host cereal drive
–Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, which houses the only dedicated pediatric unit in San Luis Obispo County, and Twin Cities Community Hospital are leading a community effort to provide area children struggling with hunger with a healthy breakfast during the summer through its Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive benefitting The Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County. The drive kicks off Friday, June 7, and runs through Friday, June 14.
“We recognize the impact hunger has on health and nutrition, and our staff is eager to make a difference,” said Shannon Downing, Director of Marketing. “We recognize the importance of beginning each day with a nutritious breakfast and, through this drive, we hope to help the many in our community struggling with food insecurity.”
According to the San Luis Obispo Food Bank, there are more than 46,000 San Luis Obispo County residents who struggle with hunger and unfortunately 40-percent of those are children.
Whole-grain cereal, when part of a healthy, balanced breakfast including dairy, fruit and lean protein, is a popular food item that experts say can easily address the hunger gap during the summer months when children are not in school. Healthy cereal contains one serving of whole grain, no more than 200 calories per serving, six grams or less of sugar and at least three grams of fiber per serving. It should also be free of artificial colors and dyes.
Donations of healthy cereal to the Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive can be dropped off June 7-14 in the main lobbies at both Sierra Vista and Twin Cities hospitals.
To make a donation online, please click here.