Company lends a hand in the fight against hunger and obesity with inspiring charitable campaign NEW YORK, Sept. 2
NEW YORK, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, Weight Watchers
(NYSE: WTW) announced the launch of Lose for Good, a campaign created to
empower people to get healthier while also giving back to others in need. The
program addresses two global epidemics -- obesity(1) and chronic hunger and
malnutrition(2).
For every pound lost by Weight Watchers Members during a six-week period,
beginning September 7 and ending October 18, Weight Watchers will donate the
cost of one pound of food -- up to one million dollars. The funds will go to
two hunger-fighting organizations: Share Our Strength, which works to make
sure no child in America grows up hungry, and Action Against Hunger, which
provides immediate and long-term solutions for hunger to people around the
world. These organizations will use the funds to enhance existing programs.
"Lose For Good is designed to further inspire Weight Watchers Members as
they take the first step on a journey towards a healthier lifestyle," said
David Kirchhoff, President and CEO Weight Watchers International, Inc., "In
doing so, they will help others, as hunger relief organizations in our
communities and around the world are being stretched like never before."
Weight Watchers Members learn that even a small change, like losing as
little as 5 percent of body weight, can help bring real rewards such as lower
cholesterol levels and reduced blood pressure. Similarly, helping provide
nutritious food to a family dealing with hunger can make a big difference in
their lives. "Our culture is based on giving Members the resources,
inspiration and support to help themselves. With the built-in excitement and
motivation that comes from an effort where people can do good for themselves
and others, Lose for Good is a natural fit for the our company, its staff and
members," added Kirchhoff.
Debbie Shore, Co-founder and Associate Director of Share Our Strength
said, "Every pound lost in the Weight Watchers Lose for Good campaign means
more food for those in need. Share Our Strength is happy to be a part of such
a creative approach to fighting childhood hunger. We will ensure that
healthy, nutritious food reaches those who need it most."
Nan Dale, Executive Director of Action Against Hunger, agrees that Lose
For Good is an opportunity to educate America on global hunger issues while
giving people a chance to be part of the solution. "While Weight Watchers
Members are pursuing a healthier lifestyle, they will also be helping us save
the lives of young children in 40 countries around the globe."
Weight Watchers is also rallying its vast community by encouraging the
thousands of meeting leaders, receptionists, other employees and loyal Members
to participate in local food drives.
To join the Lose for Good campaign and make a difference in your life and
in others lives, visit www.loseforgood.com.
About Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Weight Watchers International, Inc. is the world's leading provider of
weight management services, operating globally through a network of
Company-owned and franchise operations. Weight Watchers holds over 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 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,
visit www.weightwatchers.com. 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 Share Our Strength(R)
Share Our Strength(R) is a national organization working to make sure no
kid in America grows up hungry. We weave together a net of community groups,
activists and food programs to catch children at risk of hunger and ensure
they have nutritious food where they live, learn and play. We work with the
culinary industry to create engaging, pioneering programs like Share Our
Strength's Taste of the Nation(R), Share Our Strength's Great American Bake
Sale(R), Share Our Strength's A Tasteful Pursuit(R), Share Our Strength's
Great American Dine Out(TM), and Share Our Strength's Operation Frontline(R).
For more information, please visit www.strength.org.
About Action Against Hunger
Action Against Hunger / Action Contre la Faim (ACF), an international
relief and development organization committed to saving the lives of
malnourished children and families, provides sustainable access to safe water
and long-term solutions to hunger. For nearly three decades, ACF has pursued
its vision of a world without hunger by combating hunger in emergency
situations of conflict, natural disaster, and chronic food insecurity.
(1) There are 1.6 billion overweight people in the world, World Health
Organization
(2) There were 862 million people in the world in 2007 that were underfed,
Bread for the World
SOURCE Weight Watchers International, Inc.
