06/10/2026
Summer 2026 Cereal Drive
As summer arrives and children celebrate the end of another school year, many families face a less visible challenge: replacing the breakfasts and lunches their children typically receive at school. For households already struggling with rising food costs, those extra meals can place a significant strain on family budgets. That's why the Piast Institute and its Hamtramck Drug Free Community Coalition (HDFCC) program are inviting residents to help ensure local children have access to a simple but important start to their day—a healthy breakfast.
Throughout the summer, the Piast Institute will be collecting unopened boxes of cereal, along with dry milk and shelf-stable milk, for distribution through the "Little Free Library" located outside the Piast Institute office. The concept is simple: neighbors helping neighbors. A single box of cereal may seem small, but for a family facing food insecurity, it can provide several breakfasts and one less worry. Community members can drop off donations at the Piast Institute (Mon.-Thurs.) or order items online and have them shipped directly to the organization.
Summer should be a time for children to play, learn, and make memories—not worry about where their next meal will come from. With a little help from the community, we can make sure more Hamtramck families have the support they need during the months when school meal programs are unavailable. After all, hunger doesn't take a summer vacation, and neither does the compassion of our community.
Donations may be delivered or shipped to:
Piast Institute (include your name)
11633 Joseph Campau Hamtramck, MI 48212
Contact the Piast Institute at (313) 733-4535 or email at: [email protected] and let them know of your donation. Small individual sizes, regular or family size accepted. Consider donating dry milk/shelf-stable milk options that can be included as well. According to hunger advocacy organizations, summer is one of the most difficult times of year for families experiencing food insecurity. Without access to school breakfast and lunch programs, many households must stretch already limited budgets to provide additional meals each day. Your donation can help individuals of all ages in our community.
People in need of food assistance this summer can call 2-1-1 for local resources, visit area food pantries (Gleaners and Forgotten Harvest post schedules online), MDHHS Pantry every last Tuesday of the month, access summer meal programs for children, or utilize the Little Free Library (sharing books and other resources) located outside the Piast Institute.
