Student-Led Cereal Drive Collects Hundreds of Boxes for Ocean County Food Pantries
At Ridgeway Elementary, one student kicked off a huge food collection that spread through Manchester Township, bringing in box after box of breakfast cereal for local pantries. The 2025 drive hopes to…
PARK RIDGE, IL – MAY 14: Maine Township Food Pantry coordinator Carol Langan packs boxes with breakfast cereal for clients at the Maine Township Food Pantry May 14, 2003 in Park Ridge, Illinois. Langan said that she has noticed of late that food donations have not been keeping up with client demand. As housing costs continued to rise faster than incomes and the national economy remained weak, requests for emergency food assistance increased an average of 19 percent over the past year, according to the most recent 25-city survey released by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The survey also found that requests for emergency shelter assistance grew an average of 19 percent in the 18 cities that reported an increase.
(Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)At Ridgeway Elementary, one student kicked off a huge food collection that spread through Manchester Township, bringing in box after box of breakfast cereal for local pantries.
The 2025 drive hopes to fill food banks with thousands of new cereal boxes. Local businesses stepped up to help, from the popular restaurant Shut Up and Eat to the busy training floor at Paul Prendergast Karate.
This effort came from three student groups: Junior Impact, Impact, and Interact clubs, supported by the Lakehurst-Manchester Rotary Club. Together, they turned a simple idea into a major success.
St. Stephen's - Manchester and Whiting Food Pantry will share the donations. These places help feed many township families in need.
The student who started it all, Broden, connected with local businesses nearby. His outreach brought waves of support from throughout the community.
Local shops became drop-off spots, with employees helping collect boxes from community members who came by.
This project matches the school's core values, teaching kids how to help others. One student's idea spread goodness throughout the community.
The cereal will help stock pantry shelves across Ocean County, giving families a dependable breakfast option during tough times.
These clubs carry on this tradition every year. The 2025 drive builds on previous successes to help more neighbors facing hardship.
This success paves the way for more students to come forward with new ideas. It shows that young people can solve real problems in their own community.
