Saint Francis Healthcare, including Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis and Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett, is leading a community effort to provide area children and adults struggling with hunger with a healthy breakfast during the summer through its Healthy Over Hungry® Cereal Drive benefitting Mid-South Food Bank. The drive kicks off Friday, June 7 and runs through Friday, June 14.

“Saint Francis Healthcare understands the health issues children face from hunger and poor nutrition, and we are proud to participate in this annual event to help fight food insecurity across the Mid-South,” said Dr. Audrey Gregory, Market CEO, Saint Francis Healthcare. “We recognize the importance of beginning each day with a nutritious breakfast and, through this drive, we hope to help those struggling in our community. We invite you to join us and help kids be Healthy Over Hungry this summer.”

In the Mid-South Food Bank's service area, 23.3 percent of children are food insecure, according to the latest Map the Meal Gap hunger study. That's nearly one in every 5 children. 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.

Donations of healthy cereal to the Healthy Over Hungry® Cereal Drive or financial donations for perishable breakfast items will be collected from June 7 through June 14 at Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett or Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis.