WEIGHT WATCHERS CANADA LAUNCHES 2ND ANNUAL LOSE FOR GOOD™ CAMPAIGN TO
HELP FIGHT HUNGER AND MAKE HEALTHIER FOOD CHOICES
TORONTO, Sept. 29 /CNW/ - Last year, Weight Watchers Canada members showed that they could improve their health while helping those in need. Today, Weight Watchers Canada announces the launch of the second annual Lose For Good campaign, an initiative that fights hunger by increasing awareness of this important issue and helping to provide access to healthy food for those in need. Between October 3rd and November 20th, as Weight Watchers members lose weight, Weight Watchers will make a donation, and provide other benefits, valued up to $50,000 to Food Banks Canada, to help acquire food to distribute to the almost 800,000 Canadians that rely on food banks each month. In addition, food drives at Weight Watchers meetings will see members donating food to their community food bank in honour of their own weight loss. In 2009, Weight Watchers members donated approximately 75,000 pounds of food for local food banks across the country through the inaugural Lose For Good campaign.
The economic downturn has made the need for food bank assistance greater than ever. "Since last year's Lose For Good campaign, we have seen an increase of over 100,000* people a month accessing food banks across the country; that's an 18% increase - the largest year-over-year increase on record," said Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director, Food Banks Canada. "Weight Watchers is an important ally in supporting our work helping Canadians in need to access healthier food options. We're thankful for their dedication to our mission and the generous support they provide through the Lose For Good campaign."
"I am so proud to be a part of Lose For Good, which encourages people to get healthy, something I've learned to do with the help of Weight Watchers, while at the same time giving back to those in need," explained Weight Watchers Brand Ambassador Jennifer Hudson. This success directly impacts Food Banks Canada Members and Affiliate Members who serve 85% of people accessing emergency food programs nationwide, and the 50%* of food bank assisted households in Canada made up of families with at least one child.
"Weight Watchers works to educate its members on healthy food choices, and through Lose For Good™, Weight Watchers members can put what they've learned toward helping others, and can have a positive impact in addressing the need for healthy options for food bank clients," said Paul Schiffner, General Manager, Weight Watchers Canada.
Further information is available at www.weightwatchers.ca/loseforgood
About Weight Watchers Canada
Weight Watchers Canada Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Weight Watchers International, Inc., which is the world's leading provider of weight management services, operating globally through a network of Company-owned and franchise operations. Weight Watchers International Inc. holds almost 50,000 weekly meetings where members receive group support and learn about healthy eating patterns, behavior modification and physical activity. WeightWatchers.com provides innovative, subscription weight management products over the Internet and is the leading Internet-based weight management provider in the world. In addition, Weight Watchers International, Inc. offers a wide range of products, publications and programs for those interested in weight loss and weight control.
To learn more about Weight Watchers services, products and publications in Canada, visit
weightwatchers.ca
To find the nearest Weight Watchers meeting location, call 1-800-651-6000
Or click on the "Find a Meeting" link at the top of our homepage.
About Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada is the national charitable organization representing the food bank community across Canada. Our members and their respective agencies serve approximately 85 per cent of people accessing emergency food programs nationwide. Our mission is to meet the short-term need for food and find long-term solutions to reduce hunger. Visit www.foodbankscanada.ca for more information.
*Source: Food Banks Canada
For further information:
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tiffany Bourré
416.504.3977 ext. 28
[email protected]
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