At Aquinas Collge, Calvin College and Hope College students ramped up their intake of cereal in the month of December so their efforts would be enough Corn Flakes to restock West MichiganFood Banks after the holiday rush. Their efforts were part of Creative Dining Services and Kellogg’s “Share the Bowl” program, through which Kellogg’s company pledged to match every bowl consumed by studetns during the month and donate it to local food banks.

“Our students really got behind this project,” said Chuck Melchiori, Vice President of Business Development, Creative Dining Services. “Our goal for each of the colleges was to consume 6,400 bowls, and we exceeded that goal.”

The three local colleges snap, crackled and popped their way to 228 cases of cereal, which were delivered in part to Kids’ Food Basket in Grand Rapids on January 11, 2012. Kids’ Food Basket fights childhood hunger in greater Grand Rapids. The nonprofit began over nine years ago by serving 125 kids each school day through their Sack Supper program and now serves over 4,700 kids every school day, plus thousands more at local sides through the summer.

Melchiori was pleased to have a role in helping to stock the agency’s food pantry. “it’s good for our students to support the community through this type of program.”

Author: Laurie Stears, Marketing & Promotions Specialist

Workers at Kid's Food Basket sorting donations.

College Students bringing the donation to Kid's Food Basket.

Unpacking the donated cereal.

Some of the cereal donated to Kid's Food Basket.

Chuck Melchiori and Laurie Stears of Creative Dining Services signing the cooler at Kid's Food Basket. It is tradition at Kid's Food Basket for donors to sign the cooler.