Losing weight usually means looking good. Losing weight as part of the Pound for Pound Challenge, however, means that there’s the possibility of feeling even better. For the third consecutive year, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank has partnered with "The Biggest Loser" television series and other national organizations in support of the Pound for Pound Challenge Event.
Between now and the season finale of "The Biggest Loser: Couples TV" series later this season, those that live within the eight Ohio counties covered by the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank can visit the official website and pledge to lose weight. Every pound pledged during the challenge equals one pound of food (or 11 cents) donated to the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank.
Last year, more than 6.2 million pounds of food was donated to Food Banks around the nation thanks to the Pound for Pound Challenge, a 70 percent increase over donations from 2009.
Michelle Hinton, director of Marketing and Communications for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank said that the Foodbank has been promoting the challenge even more this year, with the hopes of continuing the event’s success while increasing participation. “We have publicized the challenge in our newsletter, sent e-mail alerts to our donors and provided information on our website,” said Hinton. “We have also partnered with local donors like Giant Eagle.”
The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank works with more than 400 community organizations including pantries, shelters and other hunger-relief programs to provide food to those in need throughout its local service area. More than 180,000 local residents are assisted by the Foodbank each year. “Ohio was hit hard by the recent downturn in the economy,” explained Hinton. “According to the latest U.S. Census figures, one in five Ohio children still fall below the poverty line. That is a statistic that really hurts.”
Hinton said that even those that aren’t looking to shed pounds can help out. “People can pledge to maintain their current weight and five pounds of food will be donated,” said Hinton. “We really encourage people to have fun with the challenge by forming teams among friends and/or co-workers and competing against other teams that have signed up.”
Activity at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is especially high as the spring season brings both the exciting conclusion of the Pound for Pound Challenge and includes the launch of the annual Harvest for Hunger campaign. “It’s just another great example of the tremendous amount of support we receive from the community,” said Hinton.
Hinton said she feels that the inspiring thing about events like the Pound for Pound Challenge is that fact that participants can “pay it forward” while doing something positive for their own health and well-being. “This is a way to help out without a financial donation or even a time commitment, that will also benefit the participant,” said Hinton.
“We have heard great weight-loss stories from local residents that say that being able to give back at the same time is just a bonus.”
"The Biggest Loser: Couples" airs Tuesday nights as 8 p.m. (EST) on NBC.
