ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — SwedishAmerican is hosting it’s first ever cereal drive so kids can eat breakfast before heading to school.

The hospital is asking its employees and the community to donate boxes of hot or cold cereal, and they’re hoping to get as many donations as possible to kick off the school year.

The donations will be given to the Rock River Food Pantry, located at 421 S Rockton Ave.

The pantry serves thousands of people every month, and over one-third of them are children.

Jess Hunley, Director of the Results Management Office for SwedishAmerican, believes breakfast is important for children to have success in schools.

“Having breakfast, it help keeps kids focused, it gives them the energy that they need so that they not only learn, but also for their growth and to keep them healthy,” Hunley said.

Donations of boxes of cereal are accepted at SwedisAmerican Hospital or any of the clinics through next Thursday, August 22nd.

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