"Within the past year, we are seeing many more families in need of support," said Irwin Vogelman, Director of Food Resources and Systems, Center for Food Action in New Jersey. "Many families are fighting a losing battle each month trying to stretch their paychecks to buy food. The wages of the working poor have not kept up with rent and utility increases or rising gas and food prices. That's why it's so important for companies in our area, like Mercedes-Benz, to reach out and lend a hand."

This Action Against Hunger(TM) program, sponsored by the North Jersey Media Group Foundation, helps emergency food pantries in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Morris counties provide food to people and families in urgent need. CFA estimates that each year it provides 40,000 emergency food packages to neighbors who are struggling to put food on their tables. According to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (CFBNJ), there are more than 250,000 people living below the federal poverty level in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Morris counties.

The Center for Food Action in New Jersey (CFA), which aims to prevent hunger and homelessness and improve the lives of individuals and families living in poverty, is the direct recipient organization of MBUSA's food drive. CFA provides emergency food packages, rental and utility assistance, counseling, advocacy and other essential services to those in need living in northern New Jersey.

Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, believes that a premier company must lead by example. With a reputation for innovation and leadership -- qualities that are mirrored among Mercedes-Benz owners, dealers and employees alike -- comes an opportunity to give back to the community. Mercedes-Benz USA's philanthropic efforts involve direct funding by MBUSA augmented by donations from dealers, employees and the public. Through these combined efforts, MBUSA supports causes that cover a broad spectrum of need. MBUSA invests in the communities in which employees live and work through the corporate headquarters in Bergen County, N.J. and through regional offices around the country. Support is given through corporate contributions, community relations and volunteer efforts, women's initiatives, diversity support, matching gifts, cause-related marketing regional and dealer activities, and international cooperation.

Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger is administered locally by North Jersey Media Group: The Record, Herald News, (201) and Community Newspapers and Magazines of North Jersey Media Group. This program runs the largest one-day food drive in the metropolitan area and has helped feed those in need in North Jersey since 1991.

Action Against Hunger is part of a worldwide international network that has been assisting more than 40 countries in emergency situations such as war, conflict, and natural disasters for nearly three decades. The organization focuses on eliminating hunger using their expertise in nutrition, food security, water and sanitation, health and advocacy to create long-term solutions from short-term interventions.

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz USA

http://www.mbusa.com

"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.

http://www.weightwatchers.com

"He calls upon all parties to respect the neutral and impartial status of humanitarian staff, and to allow them to do their work bringing vital life-saving assistance to millions of Somalis, nearly half of the population, who are counting on this support for their survival."

Media reports say the six people captured today have been working for Action Against Hunger, a French non-governmental organization (NGO).

Last Wednesday two UN staff - both Somali nationals - working in the northern town of Hargeisa were killed after a suicide bombing at the local UN Development Programme (UNDP) compound. Six other staff were seriously injured in the explosion, part of a coordinated wave of attacks across the north that day.

Earlier last month two Somali staff members working for UN aid agencies - one for the World Food Programme (WFP) and the other for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) - were shot dead in separate killings.

"He calls upon all parties to respect the neutral and impartial status of humanitarian staff, and to allow them to do their work bringing vital life-saving assistance to millions of Somalis, nearly half of the population, who are counting on this support for their survival."

Media reports say the six people captured today have been working for Action Against Hunger, a French non-governmental organization (NGO).

Last Wednesday two UN staff - both Somali nationals - working in the northern town of Hargeisa were killed after a suicide bombing at the local UN Development Programme (UNDP) compound. Six other staff were seriously injured in the explosion, part of a coordinated wave of attacks across the north that day.

Earlier last month two Somali staff members working for UN aid agencies - one for the World Food Programme (WFP) and the other for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) - were shot dead in separate killings.