It should come as no surprise to anyone who has read my previous Champions for Kids SIMPLE Service project posts that I was more than honored to participate again this month with Post Cereals to help Fight Childhood Hunger.  And if you know me – or have read about me and my early life – they you know that I know all too well what it is like to be hungry and so this one just touches my heart deeply.

There are millions of children that rely heavily on school breakfasts and lunch to eat during the year.  Or to eat balanced meals, at least. And when the summer months come that all ends.  And these kids, whose parents work really hard but can’t make ends meet, or are the victims of circumstances beyond their control, have nothing to eat.  And if they do, it is often ‘junk’ food or just not good for them.

My very early life saw me relying on the Church and school for food.  We were 10 people living in a small trailer home often struggling to find anything to eat.  School meals – and before I was in school – Church donations fed and kept us from starving.  I remember hot summer days and saltine crackers and peanut butter for all three meals because we just did not have any food to share with 8 kids.

So now that I am an adult with children of my own that I am completely blessed to be able to not only feed my children but to also give back, I was thrilled to join Post Cereals and hold a neighborhood food drive for my local Church, St. Anne’s Catholic Parish.  Their food pantry is always in need and I was ready to help!

I put out notices to my neighbors on our Facebook page and email group and prepared to collect items.

I headed to Walmart to check out some things I could purchase for my drive.  I needed some Post Cereal – not only for my drive but also for the food pantry – and some canned foods that I could add to what I took from my pantry and my neighbors donations.

See my entire shop #PostCFK and ‘mini drive’ below:

 
I found the VAST selection of Post cereals easily on the cereal aisle.  As I looked up and down I was surprised at how many cereals we love that are Post cereals.  Honey Bunches of Oats is my favorite.  But they also make Fruity Pebbles (great for baking, BTW), Shredded Wheat, Bran Flakes, Alpha Bits and so much more!  I grabbed my favorite and a few more that I wanted to try or donate as well.

Motivated than ever, I headed home to get the kids involved in getting ready for the food drive!

And then I went to Urgent Care for a cough I have had for almost 3 months and was diagnosed with Pneumonia.  And I could not sit out in the hot heat and collect cans.  So, begrudgingly, I canceled the drive I had planned at the park.  Resolving that I would just use the things I had bought to donate, I was more than thrilled when my girls said they would make a sign and go to the drive way and collect the foods.  I sent an email out and my neighbors started arriving!

I did not collect what I think I would have with a big drive by the pool but I was really impressed with the people who went out of their way to collect and deliver what they did!  And my girls were THRILLED to help.  That made me very happy!

So, today, I loaded everything up and am headed to the Food Pantry with my kids.  And I could not be more aware of how many families my small donation will help.

Imagine if you donated a few cans to your local food pantry.  Or if you and your neighbors got together to collect together.  Or if I my neighborhood drive had not hit a hiccup.  How many little kids that are munching on crackers and peanut butter could we give corn, carrots, cereals, beans, soups and so much more to?  How many lives can YOU impact this summer with your generous donations?

Get more information in participating in the Post Champions for Kids SIMPLE Service Project on their website.

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