Cereal Saturday at NewBo City Market aims to end hunger

Breakfast - the most important meal of the day - will be even more critical on Saturday at NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids.

Enjoy a bowl of cereal and support area programs working to end hunger at the inaugural Cereal Saturday.

The event, held from 7:30 to 10 a.m., officially kicks off the Eastern Iowa Freedom From Hunger Food Drive, said Amanda Pieper, director of the HACAP Food Reservoir, the event's primary sponsor. The food reservoir supplies families with food during the summer when children are out of school and seasonal employment is uncertain.

Sponsors General Mills is supplying the cereal and Hansen's Dairy will have plenty of milk on hand.

There also will be breakfast-themed games and activities - a loudest crunch and rooster calling contest - face painting, mascots and more. 'This is going to be a fun, new event starting bright and early in the morning,” says Pieper. 'We are looking forward to having families from all over the Corridor come and enjoy a bowl of cereal together. We'll be helping raise awareness of a luxury many of our fellow community members don't get to experience on a day-to-day basis, in turn allowing the HACAP Food Reservoir to do all we can to help provide for the families in need.”

Cereal Saturday was inspired by the successful Breakfast on the Bridge during the Cedar Rapids RAGBRAI stop in 2012.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $1 for children 4 to 10 years old; 3 and younger are free in advance online.

Day-of tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for 4- to 10-year-olds. The Ceramics Center has created a bowl for $15.

If you go

'What:

Cereal Saturday

'When:

7:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday

'Where:

NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids

'Cost:

Tickets are $5 for adults and $1 for children 4 to 10 years old; 3 and younger are free in advance online. Day-of tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for 4- to 10- year-olds. The Ceramics Center has created a signature bowl that will be sold for $15.

'For more information:

Eventbrite.com/e/cereal-saturday-tickets-11105656317