PRESS RELEASE:

May 11, 2020 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

In these uncertain times, food insecurity is a grave concern. Our friends, neighbors, and family are in need. The Allegan County Food Pantry Collaborative annual cereal drive is an opportunity to help families through the upcoming months as we move through this pandemic together. While the process may be different this year, the goals are not: feeding children who don’t always know where their next meal is coming from. Any and every amount helps. Please donate today.

Because hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation…the Allegan County Food Pantry Collaborative (a program of the Allegan County Community Foundation) is excited to kick off our 6^th annual Cereal Drive! This year’s cereal drive is social distancing, but we still need your support!

The virtual drive runs from May 18 – June 14, 2020. Our goal is 30,000 boxes – this sets the stage for the seventeen members of the Collaborative to provide cereal for families whose children are food insecure. This time for low-income families is especially difficult with increased food costs, rising unemployment, and the unknowns we are facing from the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the drive is to provide one box, per child, per week for the upcoming months for those children whose families visit food pantries in Allegan County. If the schools extend their food programs through the summer – that’s GREAT – we will continue to feed the kids into the fall! 6,000 people are served by the member pantries of the ACFPC – nearly 3,000 of whom are children. Please help.

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE IN OUR VIRTUAL CEREAL DRIVE?

* Text “CEREAL” to 44-321 to donate

* Donate with this QR code                                                                  

* Donate on-line at www.alleganfoundation.org   

* Make and mail checks out to the ACCF at: PO Box 278, Allegan MI  49010                                         (in the memo line please note cereal)

ACFPC member pantries: Allegan United Methodist Church, Christ Community Church, Allegan County Food Pantry, Hamilton Christian Reformed Church, Diamond Springs Wesleyan Church, Hungry for Christ, Christian Neighbors Plainwell, St. Margaret – St. Vincent DePaul, Martin United Methodist Church, Christian Neighbors Douglas, Ladders of Hope, Love, Inc. Pullman, Hopkins United Methodist Church, Christian Neighbors Wayland, Project Hope, Epiphany Lutheran Church and Community Action  House – Holland.

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We need your help with getting the word out on this very important drive which will help so many children in Allegan County. Thank you.

Allegan County Community Foundation/Allegan County Food Pantry Collaborative

Cereal Drive FAQ

Why are you changing to a virtual cereal drive this year?

We just don’t know how COVID-19 will impact us over the next few months. We know the cereal drive must happen, so a virtual drive was the best compromise in order to keep donors, pantry workers, and recipient families safe.

Can I still make a donation in person?

Yes! Every Wednesday from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm the Goods Donation Center (United Way Allegan County building at 650 Grand, Allegan) is open to receive donations. Those donations are quarantined for a minimum of three days and then picked-up by the ACFPC pantry members. Plus, we are setting up Pop-Up Cereal Drive locations throughout the county, practicing social distancing to provide the opportunity for those who would like to donate. To learn when and where the Pop-Up Drives will be, follow us on social media, sign up for our e-newsletter here, or check our website at alleganfoundation.org.

Why cereal at this time?

During this time when unemployment has increased and families find themselves unable to provide for their children, a single box of cereal can provide several meals for a hungry child.

With the stimulus checks, increased unemployment payments, and school meal provisions – is there really a need for a cereal drive?

Absolutely. Those increases provided a brief reprieve from the panic of being food insecure. At this time, schools are uncertain how much longer they can provide meals, we know food pantries are experiencing a steady increase in new families seeking assistance, and with so much uncertainty during COVID-19, the infusion of cereal for the children will make a significant impact for families reaching out to keep hunger at bay.

What will financial donations be used for?

Cereal purchases only.

Why cereal?

The nutritional value of cereal has improved tremendously over recent years. We encourage donations of kid-friendly cereal with 12 grams of sugar or less per serving. Cereal is also something easy for kids to make themselves and one box can provide many meals or snacks.

May 14 through June 18, 2020