TAMPA, Fla. — One in four children in the Tampa Bay area aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from. That’s according to Feeding Tampa Bay, our area’s largest food bank. And the problem of food insecurity increases during the summer months when kids aren’t receiving meals at school.
That’s why 10 Tampa Bay and Feeding Tampa Bay once again teamed up for Cereal for Summer. General Mills was the presenting sponsor.
We asked individuals, groups, businesses, and government agencies to collect and donate cereal and other breakfast items from April 1 – May 6.
Viewers could register their food drive or donate online to Feeding Tampa Bay at www.cerealforsummer.org.
During the entire Cereal for Summer drive, you could drop off cereal donations at Sonny’s BBQ restaurants, most Goodwill stores, and at our 10 Tampa Bay studios (11450 Gandy Boulevard, St. Petersburg).
Last year, Cereal for Summer collected enough cash and cereal to provide 2 million meals. This year, we collected enough cereal and cash to provide 1.9 million meals for children this summer.
On Friday, May 6 we asked groups to drop off all their donations at either the Britton Plaza Publix in Tampa (3838 Britton Plaza-off Dale Mabry) or to the 4th St. Station Publix in St. Petersburg (3700 4th St. N.). 10 Tampa Bay broadcast live from both locations all day.
People had fun at the drive! Viewers sent us photos or video of giant cereal towers, cute kids with cereal—you name it.
If you have any questions about how to get involved with Cereal for Summer in the future, please contact 10 Tampa Bay's Kathryn Bursch at KBursch@10TampaBay.com.