News Summary
The annual Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive in Rock Hill, SC, was a success, with first responders and volunteers collecting thousands of cereal boxes to support the community. This initiative aimed to provide approximately 20,000 servings of cereal to children and families in need, particularly during the summer months when free meals are unavailable. Local organizations like Pilgrim’s Inn highlighted the importance of these donations in combating food insecurity. The event reflects the community’s commitment to ensuring no child goes hungry.
Rock Hill, SC – The annual Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive successfully collected thousands of boxes of cereal to aid the community, with first responders and volunteers loading an ambulance with dozens of boxes during the event. Over a 12-day period, dedicated firefighters, law enforcement officers, and medical personnel from York County organized this initiative, resulting in hundreds of boxes of cereal collected for those in need.
The donations are projected to provide approximately 20,000 servings of cereal, aimed at feeding thousands of community members. The cereal is intended to support children and families, particularly during the summer months when students are not receiving free or reduced-price meals at school.
Renee O’Neil, serving as the community relations and communications manager at Piedmont Medical Center, noted that the hospital has participated in the cereal drive for several years. Teresa Urquhart, the market CEO of the hospital, highlighted the critical role that each donated box of cereal plays in addressing food insecurity in Rock Hill. This year’s event continues a tradition that was initiated 15 years ago in Detroit by nurses from Tenet Healthcare.
The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with leaders at Pilgrim’s Inn, an organization that assists in feeding individuals throughout South Carolina, currently counting the cereal servings received from the 2025 donations. As a primary benefactor of the cereal drive, Pilgrim’s Inn emphasized the importance of the contributions. Lemeila Crockett, the emergency assistance manager for the organization, reinforced the substantial impact these cereal donations have on both children and adults in the community.
The recently collected cereal will not only provide breakfast for many during the summer months but will also ensure that food resources are available for several months ahead. Distributions from the 2024 donations have just concluded, with Pilgrim’s Inn reporting the distribution of their last servings from that collection.
This annual cereal drive serves as a vital resource for addressing food hunger within the community. With increasing awareness of the need for support, local organizations and first responders have come together to bridge the gap for those facing food insecurity. In Rock Hill, the Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive stands as a testament to the community’s commitment to ensuring that no child goes hungry.
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- Herald Online: Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive Success
- Wikipedia: Food Insecurity
- THV11: Hooters Restaurant Closures
- Google Search: Community Food Donations
- THV11: Arkansas Winter Storm Updates
- Google Scholar: Food Programs
- Herald Online: Local News Coverage
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Support Initiatives
- Herald Online: More Local News
- Google News: Rock Hill News
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
