Los Alamitos Medical Center staff and physicians recently donated more than 375 boxes of cereal to Summer Harvest/Food for the Soul. The hospital’s Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive was held to provide local children with a healthy breakfast during the summer.
“Our generous staff and physicians made our first year effort a success,” said hospital Chief Executive Officer Kent Clayton. “Our staff was eager to join the fight against hunger and make a difference in our communities. We recognize the important role good nutrition has on good health and hope that, through this drive, we helped those struggling with food insecurity.”
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.
Summer is a particularly difficult time for food banks because many children can no longer rely on their school for meals. The hospital hopes that through the Los Alamitos Medical Center’s Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive, many families will have a healthy breakfast.
