North Kingstown’s Family of ‘Cereal’ Givers

Most elementary school-aged boys would spend their free time playing video games, watching television, plotting new ways to avoid chores and groan at the prospect of volunteerism. But, most boys aren’t like brothers Patrick and Liam Gannon.

If the name Patrick Gannon sounds familiar, it probably should: Two years ago when he was just 11 years old, Patrick made headlines and received national recognition for a unique — and successful — idea to help local families in need. After having a conversation at the dinner table with this family, Patrick concocted the idea for "Cereal Night," for which families would substitute a bowl of cereal for dinner and donate the would-be dinner money and/or food to a local food pantry. The idea, bred by a 10-year-old North Kingstown boy, took off and the first cereal night in 2008 netted three tons of food donations.

But the Gannon family’s streak of volunteerism isn’t just about cereal nights. From volunteering at community dinners, to giving their Halloween candy to the police and fire departments, to picking up trash every Earth Day, the Gannon family never ceases to find new ways to give back.

“By helping people, you just get this high,” said father Bill Gannon. “It’s just wonderful.”

Bill, along with his wife Jackie, made sure their young sons got an early dose of charity and volunteerism, taking them along as they picked up trash every Earth Day. From there, the boys started to devise their own ways to give back to their community. When Patrick was 8 years old, he donated his birthday presents to the Red Cross. In 2005, when word began to spread that Wickford Elementary School was on the chopping block for closure, Patrick took it upon himself to help raise money to save the school, opening a lemonade stand.

Armed with $27.63, Patrick brought his profits to the superintendent at the time. The response he received from the former head of schools was less than what 7-year-old Patrick had hoped.

“He told me, ‘I’m sorry, kid. It’s going to take $1 million to save that school. Go buy yourself something nice,’” recalls Patrick.

Patrick opted not to take the superintendent’s advice and donated the money to the Red Cross.

“Some people think we’re a little off the wall, but it’s fun,” said Bill. “Volunteering and giving back is not a chore to us.”

Every Sunday, the Gannons can be found at local churches, lending a hand with community dinners for the needy. The days after Halloween, their candy can be found at the North Kingstown police and fire departments. And if there’s a food drive going on, you bet you’ll see the Gannon family there.

“We don’t expect anything in return,” said Patrick. “Just a thank you.”

But, two years ago the Gannon family was dealt a huge blow when Jackie passed away after suffering a brain hemorrhage outside of the North Kingstown Police Department. Jackie had stopped by the department to report a dead animal on the side of the road. It was just two days before Patrick’s 11th birthday.

The family channeled their grief, and the following month in December 2009, held the second annual Cereal Night, partially to help the family raise funds for Jackie’s funeral bills. With three tons of food donated and hundreds of dollars raised, the community that the Gannons had given back to over the years paid it forward.

“It made me feel fantastic,” said Bill. “A lot of people came out for it and it was just heartwarming.”

Though the Gannons have not held another Cereal Night since 2010, they hope to bring it back to North Kingstown in the near future. The end goal for Patrick, Bill and Liam, however, is to make Cereal Night a national movement and touch more lives outside of Rhode Island.

“If our journey can touch just one person, it’s all worth it,” said Bill.