Ursuline’s 4th Annual ‘Cereal Effect,’ our ongoing effort to combat childhood hunger in the local community, resulted in an unprecedented response with a record-breaking donation of 3,063 boxes of breakfast cereal to the food pantry at HOPE Community Services (HOPE) in New Rochelle.
Executive Director of HOPE Sylvia B. Hamer and her team were on hand to witness the excitement on Wednesday, September 25. Hamer was overwhelmed by the school community's generosity, noting that Ursuline’s record-breaking donation will serve over 1,500 families and help feed over 1,200 children. “It's about three months' worth of food, and the back-to-school timing is critical,” she explains. “Cereal is often the main food they have all day. It’s a good staple for families who depend on HOPE for nourishment.”
Senior co-chair Caralyn LoConte ‘25 was delighted that the school surpassed its goal of 2,500 boxes. “It has been shown that students who go to school with breakfast are able to focus and do better in school. I’m so happy that we are living out our motto of Serviam!”
Erin Marley '25 speaks to middle school students about childhood hunger during 'The Cereal Effect' Middle School Breakfast on September 25, 2024.
The culminating event took place at the start of the school day. Student leaders invited Ursuline Middle School students to experience the impact of food insecurity firsthand by serving them breakfast after coming to school on an empty stomach. Junior co-chair Riya Buddhavarapu ‘26 explains, “We want to help younger students understand that there are Westchester kids going to school hungry."
Committee member Erin Marley ‘25 worked with a team of students to line the hallways with donated cereal boxes. A single touch toppled the first box, creating a domino effect as box after box toppled throughout the building. This powerful visual helps to convey the impact of one positive action leading to meaningful change.
Marley organized outreach to community partners, including local parishes. “I thought it was incredible to see how much The Cereal Effect has branched out from Ursuline.” She took a break from loading cereal boxes into HOPE vehicles to reflect on the effort. “The local parishes were so happy to help out and we received so many donations.”
Student Co-chairs, Caralyn LoConte '25 and Riya Buddhavarapu '26 at the 'Cereal Effect '24 finish line.
Cathy Fay McCarthy ‘84 P’14, working alongside student leaders, has been involved with the project since the beginning. “The idea was born out of a response to the significant spike in requests for breakfast cereal during the pandemic,” she explains. “It feels like the need is ever-increasing due to the rising cost of food.” HOPE Executive Director Hamer agrees and adds that according to her research, cereal costs have risen about 25% in four years.
Since its inception in 2021, Ursuline’s Cereal Effect has resulted in the school community donating 8,707 breakfast cereal boxes to HOPE. Student co-chair Caralyn LoConte ‘25 adds, “I’m so happy that we surpassed our goal this year and continue to live out our motto of Serviam!”
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