Los Fresnos News

VBMS Holds Bountiful Cereal Drive

Employeess at one of VBHS hospitals with some of the thousands of cereal boxes donated during the eight-day drive. Courtesy photo.

Employeess at one of VBHS hospitals with some of the thousands of cereal boxes donated during the eight-day drive. Courtesy photo.

by Tony Vindell/LFN

A cereal drive held at Valley Baptist Health Systems two hospitals has been described as a success by the organization behind the community project.

Close to a ton of cereal boxes and about $9,000 were donated and collected by VBHS System during its annual Healthy Over Hungry Cereal Drive held June 1-8.

A total of 1,520 pounds of cereal were collected in Harlingen and 360 pounds in Brownsville.

Monetarily, $6,440 was collected in Harlingen and $1,900 in Brownsville.

Manny Vela, chief executive officer with VBHS and Valley Baptist-Harlingen, extoled the importance of the drive held to benefit the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank.

“Valley Baptist Health System is committed to helping Valley families in need,” he said. “We understand the health issues children face from hunger and poor nutrition and recognize the importance of beginning each day with a nutritious breakfast.”

He said they have an obligation to ensure children have the proper nutrition they need to grow and stay healthy.

“Through our Healthy Over Hungry® Cereal Drive, many families will have a healthy, whole grain cereal breakfast every summer morning,” Vela added. “With the support of our community and the team of VBHS, fewer kids will go hungry this summer.”