Hope for the Cities volunteers, from left, Eddie Caraway, left, Debra Robinson, Billie Albright and Charles Parham promote the Adopt-A-Lunch program for summer lunches at The Cross Church. Courtesy photo

As the school year ends, so do school-provided breakfasts and lunches for many families. That can put a strain on household budgets and increase demand at local food pantries, but several area organizations are stepping up to help fill the gap.

In Sachse, 5 Loaves Ministries is hosting a cereal drive while celebrating America’s 250th birthday.

The Stars, Stripes & Cereal Drive runs through July 6. Unopened cereal donations can be dropped off at 4401 Williford Road or purchased through the organization’s Amazon wish list available at 5loavesministries.org. Residents can also organize cereal drives through neighborhoods, workplaces, churches and civic groups.

“As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, we’re reminded that strong communities are built when neighbors care for one another,” Executive Director Rebekah Rodgers wrote in a newsletter.

In Wylie, Hope for the Cities is expanding its efforts to help families during the summer months.

Beginning June 15 and continuing until school resumes in August, the nonprofit will provide weekly summer lunches for families in Wylie ISD and Community ISD. Volunteers will pack lunches each Thursday and deliver them every Monday. The organization plans to provide enough meals to feed approximately 500 people each week while continuing its regular doorstep food box deliveries.

Hope for the Cities is partnering with 5 Loaves Ministries, Wylie Community Christian Care Center, Smith Public Library and Tango Charities to provide additional meals for students. Starting June 15, families can pick up food each Monday from 10:30 a.m. to noon near the entrance of Smith Public Library. Organizers said students will receive enough food for five lunches and five dinners each week.

“We will use this as an opportunity to get families connected to the food pantries and other community resources,” said Jon Bailey, executive director of Hope for the Cities.

Meanwhile, Wylie Community Christian Care Center is collecting hygiene products in addition to food donations.

Needed items include shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, diapers and baby wipes. The center is also seeking donations of jelly, crackers, Hamburger Helper, Pop-Tarts, condiments and cooking oil. Donations are accepted during regular business hours at 1310 W. Brown St. More information is available at wyliecommunitychristiancare.org.

This past school year, Amazing Grace Food Pantry delivered 7,760 weekend food bags to Wylie schools through its Food 4 Kids program.

The pantry’s work continues through the summer, providing approximately 500 food bags each week to families who visit the pantry.

Director Karen Ellis said the organization is collecting individual cereal cups, 8-ounce shelf-stable milk cartons, macaroni and cheese cups, breakfast bars and Pop-Tarts. Pop-top cans of ravioli, chicken noodle soup and SpaghettiOs are also needed. Donation information is available at amazinggracepantry.org.

Donations to Amazing Grace Food Pantry can also be made at Smith Public Library during June. The library is hosting a protein-themed food drive collecting canned tuna, chicken and chili, as well as protein bars. A collection bin is located in the library lobby.

In addition to supporting families through food donations, residents and councilmembers learned more about community hunger-relief efforts during Tuesday’s Wylie City Council meeting, where proceeds from the recent Taste of Wylie event was presented to four local food pantries.

Allison LaBrot and Sonia Duggan contributed to this story

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