The Winona Lake Parks Department and Jefferson Elementary School in Winona Lake had a cereal run on Monday, March 20, at the school. The community and Jefferson students collected 752 boxes of cereal, which were knocked over in a row like a bunch of dominoes. The cereal was then donated to Combined Community Services. Shown, Jefferson students and staff line a hallway of the school before the boxes were knocked over.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WINONA LAKE — Cereal is a big need at the Warsaw nonprofit organization Combined Community Services.

That’s due to it being “the hardest item that we have in our food pantry to keep in stock for families,” said CCS Director of Client Assistance Tim Frame.

The organization got a large donation of the breakfast staple on Monday, March 20, due to an event put on by the Winona Lake Parks Department and Jefferson Elementary School in Winona Lake.

Seven hundred and fifty-two boxes were lined up like dominoes through Jefferson and knocked over in a so-called “cereal run.” The cereal, equivalent to more than 600 pounds, was afterwards donated to CCS.

Winona Lake Parks Department Director Holly Hummitch came up with the idea.

“I saw a video a couple of years ago, and I thought it was an amazing idea,” she said. “I’m all about community involvement, and I just thought it would be a great way to partner with the school system.”

“I mean whatever we can do to give back to the community, and CCS is an amazing organization to contribute to,” she added.

Jefferson Principal Josh Wall said he was grateful to Hummitch for the idea.

As part of it, Jefferson students joined with community members in collecting the cereal for the run.

“The community surrounded and came in on this idea, so Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church brought in a bunch of cereal boxes. The kids really came through and brought in a ton of boxes,” said Wall. “We’re appreciative to be able to (support CCS) for our community.”

Jefferson third grader Clayton Lyons had the honor of knocking over the first box to start the run. His class, teacher Shawn Longenberger’s, collected the most boxes at the school, 80, with Lyons bringing in more than 20 of those himself.

“To help out my community,” said Lyons of why he brought all the cereal in.

Teacher Ali Jankowski’s kindergarten class brought in the second highest amount: 65. Both classes will get a pizza party from Hummitch due to their efforts.

Frame shared how the cereal would help CCS’ food pantry.

“We’re averaging over 700 families every month that we’re serving through the food pantry, so we’re really excited to be able to have cereal, so now everyone who comes through the food pantry not only will have eggs, they’ll have a box of cereal to go with their food order,” he said, thanking the school and parks department.

Jefferson Principal Josh Wall, left, poses with third grader Clayton Lyons. Lyons’ class, teacher Shawn Longenberger’s, collected the most boxes of cereal, 80, with Lyons bringing in more than 20 of those and getting the honor of knocking the first box of cereal over to start the run.

The boxes went down a few hallways and ended in a spiral.

Posing for a photo after the run are from left: CCS’ Kiira Churchill, Winona Lake Parks Department Director Holly Hummitch, CCS’ Tiffani McClanahan and Randy Polston, Jefferson Principal Josh Wall, Winona Lake Police Chief Joe Hawn and CCS’ Tim Frame.