Cereal Bowl IV collects 2,209 boxes of cereal for Elk Grove Township pantry

The 4th annual Cereal Bowl food drive held in conjunction with the yearly matchup between the Rolling Meadows and Elk Grove high school football teams collected 2,209 boxes of cereal, 750 boxes more than last year's effort.

The donations will be given out to those in need through the Elk Grove Township Food Pantry.

"It is truly incredible to see how hard everyone worked to help others who are less fortunate by increasing their donation and collection efforts," Elk Grove Township Supervisor Mike Sweeney said in an announcement of the totals. "We can't begin to express our thanks to everyone who made Cereal Bowl IV a huge success this year."

Each month, an average 230 families who are experiencing hunger are served by the food pantry. The Elk Grove Township Social Services Department estimates the donations will provide cereal for in-need families until next summer.

As for the football game, the Rolling Meadows Mustangs topped the Elk Grove Grenadiers by a final score of 41-14.