Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock is joining Doctors Medical Center in Modesto and Manteca for a cereal drive with a goal of impacting childhood hunger in the region.

The Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive aims to supply children with cereal over the summer months and will be allocated by Second Harvest of the Greater Valley. The drive kickoff started Monday and runs through June 14.

“We understand the health issues children face from hunger and poor nutrition,” said Warren Kirk, CEO of Doctors Medical Center. “This past year has been particularly devastating for families struggling with hunger, as the COVID-19 pandemic compounded extreme food shortages in many communities. We recognize the importance of beginning each day with a nutritious breakfast and, through this drive, hope to help many in our community struggling with food insecurity. We invite you to help kids stay healthy this summer.”

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 can be dropped off this week at all three Central Valley Tenet hospitals – Doctors Medical Center, Emanuel Medical Center and Doctors Hospital of Manteca. All donations will stay local and go to Second Harvest of the Greater Valley, which serves Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced counties.

Monetary donations can also be made at https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTE2MjQ0. Financial donations are crucial to creating a complete healthy breakfast. The money is used to buy perishable items such as milk, fruit/vegetables, and lean protein that can complement whole grains.