Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock joined forces with Modesto’s Doctors Medical Center and Manteca’s Doctors Hospital to help local children and adults struggling with hunger.

As part of the Healthy Over Hunger Cereal Drive in early June, the final tallies show that the hospitals and community members donated over 15,000 servings of cereal and more than $3,700. The cereal and the funds will go directly towards Second Harvest of the Greater Valley, which is one of the largest food banks in the Central Valley.

The three participating hospitals are all a part of the Tenet Healthcare Corporation.

“We understand the health issues children face from hunger and poor nutrition,” said Warren Kirk, CEO of Doctors Medical Center and Tenet’s Northern California Group. “The past two years have been particularly devastating for families struggling with hunger, as the pandemic has increased food insecurity for many families. Many households have had to rely on food banks and other food programs to have access to healthy meals. 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.”

The monetary donations collected from the food drive will be used to buy perishable items such as milk, fruit, vegetables and lean protein that can complement whole grains and help create a complete healthy breakfast.

“Doctors Medical Center, Emanuel Medical Center and Doctors Hospital of Manteca are proud to help so many in our community and are grateful for the support of staff members and the community in this effort,” the hospitals said in a joint statement.

The Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive was first introduced in 2010 by Children’s Hospital in Michigan and expanded to hospitals nationwide in 2014, taking place every year with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual fundraiser is expected to take place once again next June.