Tenet Healthcare hospitals in the Central Valley – Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock and Doctors Hospital of Manteca – are leading a community effort to provide area children struggling with hunger with a healthy breakfast during the summer. Donations are being sought through their Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive, benefitting Second Harvest of the Greater Valley. The drive kicked off Monday, June 5, and runs through Monday, June 12.

“We understand the health issues children face from hunger and poor nutrition. Many households rely on food banks and other food programs to have access to the healthy meals they need to thrive,” said Jay Krishnaswamy, CEO of Doctors Medical Center. “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.”

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.

“Good nutrition is vital to a healthy life. We are so proud to participate in this initiative every year to help those struggling in our community with hunger and to help promote the importance of eating a healthy breakfast,” said Murali N. Naidu, MD, CEO of Emanuel Medical Center. “We are grateful for the continued support of our staff and communities in this effort. We thank you in advance for your compassion and generosity.”

“The Cereal Drive has been a longstanding tradition at our hospital and we are so appreciative for the support we receive,” said Eleze Armstrong, CEO of Doctors Hospital of Manteca. “This initiative goes hand-in-hand with our mission of providing quality, compassionate care in the communities we serve, and we are proud to work alongside our sister hospitals to provide healthy meals for those in need in our community.”

Donations of healthy cereal can be dropped off 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 eight counties including Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Amador, Alpine, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne.