Losing weight – for good – has taken on a new meaning at Weight Watchers.
For the last six weeks, and through October 17, area Weight Watchers locations have been collecting loads of food through seven local food drives as part of the Lose For Good Campaign to benefit City Harvest, St. Rose of Lima in Rockaway and a variety of local food banks to help area families in need.
In fact, as of Monday, October 12, members lost 12,000 pounds and nearly a ton of food had been collected.
Lose for Good began last year when the Weight Watchers CEO visited a meeting in Seattle that had members who donated 3,000 pounds of food to a local food bank in one year.
Between August 30 and October 17, 2008, then Weight Watchers members lost four million pounds and were able to give $1 million to partner Share our Strength in Action Against Hunger. Additionally 2,000 food drives raised 1.5 million pounds of food.
With 105 million people going hungry worldwide, and one in six children in America at risk of hunger – and with Friday, October 16 World Hunger Day – now more than ever it seems that help is needed, organizers said.
“This year food banks are struggling even more,” said Laurie Stauber, Territory Manager for Queens and the Bronx. “The money we donate touches a national and global audience.”
So far this year, there have been 3,300 food drives.
“The response is overwhelming,” said Marianne Castro, lead volunteer for the program. “Considering the economic times, I’m moved by it.”
The examples they cite are staggering: a Weight Watchers member from Rockaway wanted to donate 26 pounds of non-perishable food items, the equivalent of the weight she’d lost; in Middle Village, one man brought in an entire hand truck of food.
“As tough as times are, those in those centers [Weight Watchers] are blessed that we have homes, food on our tables and can afford to pay the fee to lose weight to get healthy,” said Lorraine Engelman, leader in the Queens territory. “The Weight Watchers leaders and staff who volunteer to lead these food drives are amazing. They are compassionate for their members and the communities. The fact that the food drives have grown is a tribute to them.”
To learn more and to participate in the Lose for Good campaign and make a difference in your life and the lives of others, visit www.weightwatchers.com/loseforgood.
Food can be dropped off at any Weight Watchers location.
