The Pound for Pound Challenge Has Begun!

On January 5th, the long awaited Pound for Pound Challenge began! Northern Illinois Food Bank has been preparing for many months and was excited to get started and spread the word. For those of you who haven't heard yet, let me give you some background. The Pound for Pound Challenge, as seen on NBC's The Biggest Loser, is in its second year. Feeding America and NBC's The Biggest Loser, is again partnering with General Mills, Subway, 24 Hour Fitness and Walgreen's to encourage Americans to lose weight through the Pound for Pound Challenge. Built around the incredible success of The Biggest Loser, the program allows anyone to shed pounds along with the show's contestants by pledging their weight-loss goals at http://www.pfpchallenge.com/. For every pound of weight you pledge to lose, the Pound for Pound Challenge will donate 14 cents to the Food Bank that serves the hungry in the area where you live. It's that easy! There is no follow up as to whether you reach your goal or not. However, we'd love to hear your stories so please feel free to share them at http://www.pfpchallenge.com/ or via our blog.

If you haven't met our Challenge Champions yet, take a look at some of the photos from our Pound for Pound Kickoff & Premier Party which was held on Tuesday, January 5th in Wheaton. Almost 100 people signed up to pledge their personal weight loss goals that night at the party! NBC paid a visit and filmed all the fun. NIFB was mentioned on the evening news that night! A healthy dose of inspiration from Jerry and Estella Hayes, the white team from Season 7 of The Biggest Loser might be just what you need to get motivated and take the Challenge!

Tell all your friends, family, and co-workers about the Challenge. It's a great way to spread the word and get more support to help feed our hungry neighbors. Northern Illinois Food Bank is currently in 5th place as the Food Bank with the most pounds pledged across the country...help us move up to the top spot!