Nacogdoches Medical Center’s Healthy Over Hungry® Cereal Drive runs June 6 to 10

Hospital invites community to donate cereal or make monetary contribution online

Nacogdoches, Texas, June 3, 2022 – Nacogdoches Medical Center (NMC) is leading a community effort to help area children and adults experiencing hunger over the summer. Through its Healthy Over Hungry® Cereal Drive, NMC is collecting food and monetary donations to benefit the Nacogdoches Food Bank. The drive kicks off Monday, June 6, and runs through Friday, June 10, 2022.

“In East Texas, food insecurity has grown to affect 1 in every 3 individuals. At Nacogdoches Medical Center, we understand that children face many health issues from hunger and poor nutrition,” said Jeff Patterson, Nacogdoches Medical Center CEO. “This past few years have been particularly devastating for families struggling with hunger, as the COVID-19 pandemic and nation-wide supply chain issues compounded extreme food shortages in many communities,” Patterson said. “We recognize the importance of beginning each day with a nutritious breakfast and, through this drive, we hope to help many in our community struggling with food insecurity. The cereal drive is held in the summer to help provide a nutritious breakfast for children who can no longer rely on their schools for meals during the summer break. We invite the community to help kids be Healthy Over Hungry® this summer,” he said.

Texas as a whole ranks second in the nation for food insecurity with 1 in 6 living in food insecure homes. Among those served by our local food banks, 35 percent are children. An additional 25 percent had to choose between food and medical services. Another 46 percent are employed and still can’t afford food, and 67 percent are living below the poverty line.

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.

Here’s how to join Nacogdoches Medical Center in the fight against hunger June 6 - 10:

• Drop off healthy cereal donations in collection bins located at our Nacogdoches Medical Center, 4920 N.E. Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches, TX 75965
• Make a monetary donation to purchase perishable items such as milk, fruit and lean protein, needed to complete a healthy breakfast.
  Monetary donations can be made online here: https://www.nacogdocheshope.com/donate