Weight Watchers Canada Launches the Lose For Good(TM) Campaign to Help Feed
the More Than 700,000 Canadians Turning to Food Banks

    
    Campaign Encourages Canadians to Get Healthier While Doing Good for
    Others
    

TORONTO , Sept. 18 /CNW/ - Weight Watchers Canada announced today the launch of the Lose For Good campaign, created to raise awareness about two significant issues - obesity and hunger. During a seven-week period beginning September 27th , as Weight Watchers members lose weight, Weight Watchers will make a donation, and provide other benefits, valued at up to $50,000 to Food Banks Canada , to help feed the more than 700,000 people who rely on food banks in Canada every month. Further supporting the Lose For Good campaign, members will donate food in honour of their weight loss success through an extensive series of local food drives held at Weight Watchers meetings across the country.

To encourage Canadians to achieve a healthy weight and also help those in need, Councillor Shelley Carroll , representing Mayor David Miller , joined Weight Watchers at a kickoff event in Toronto , against a backdrop of hundreds of pounds of food donations and a gathering of committed Weight Watchers supporters taking part in a BMI and weight calculation. Participants also pledged to join Weight Watchers to participate in the campaign and work towards their new healthy weight loss goal.

Of the more than 700,000 Canadians who rely on food banks every month, 37% are children. Also troubling, nearly one in four Canadians is considered obese. Every day, Weight Watchers works to educate and empower its members with the information and tools to help them adopt a healthier lifestyle and a healthier relationship with food and activity.

"We know that Canada is a prosperous nation, and that Canadians are generous people," says Paul Schiffner , General Manager, Weight Watchers Canada , "so there is no reason for any Canadian to go hungry. I am very proud that Weight Watchers and our members have embraced the Lose For Good campaign and have been inspired and motivated to take control of their personal health goals, while at the same time contributing to the well-being of those in their community."

"Corporate donors like Weight Watchers are crucial to helping us reduce hunger in Canada . The Lose For Good campaign will help us to raise awareness of hunger at this critical time. Food Banks Canada Members and Affiliate Members serve 85% of people accessing emergency food programs nationwide, and Weight Watchers has become an important partner in helping nourish those in need," says Katharine Schmidt , Executive Director, Food Banks Canada .

    
    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 over 50,000 weekly meetings where members receive group support and learn about healthy eating patterns, behavior modification and physical activity. WeightWatchers.ca 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.

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