The Biggest Loser' crew shoots Asheville segment
Posted 02/26/10
‘The Biggest Loser’ crew
shoots Asheville segment
By Nanci Bompey – February 24, 2010
ASHEVILLE – Tune into ‘The Biggest Loser’ March 9
and a familiar face might be on the TV screen.
Dozens of local residents got their few seconds in
the limelight on Tuesday when they were filmed for
a segment that will air during the weight-loss reality
show next month.
A production crew spent all day in Asheville filming
a 60-second segment on Mission Hospital’s Lighten
Up 4 Life competition and its participation in the
Pound for Pound Challenge, a national program that
delivers a pound of food to a local food bank for
every pound of weight pledged by participants.
The crew interviewed Mission executives, filmed
Lighten Up 4 Life participants working out and
finished the day shooting volunteers packing food
at MANNA FoodBank. “We think it’s great for the c
ommunity, and it’s a great opportunity to highlight
Asheville, Mission Health System, Lighten Up 4 Life
and MANNA,” said Becky Brown, of Mission. “It also
helps to address hunger in Western North Carolina.”
Organizers are encouraging the 2,350 people now
participating in Lighten Up 4 Life to also sign up for
the Pound for Pound challenge. As of Tuesday
afternoon, 594 people had pledged 17,042 pounds
that will go to MANNA FoodBank in Asheville.
Tammy Adell, who has lost more than 100 pounds
through Lighten Up 4 Life, was interviewed for the
segment. She also pledged 65 pounds for the Pound
for Pound Challenge starting last year.
“I like participating in it because it’s a way for you to
give back,” Adell said. “You are helping yourselves
and others.”
MANNA hopes the segment will be a boost for local
participation in the challenge and at the food bank, w
hich relies on volunteers and community
donations.
“The money is important but even more important,
for us, is the community action,” said MANNA spokesman Josh Stack. “Hunger and health and
wellness both have a solution … It is important for
the community to come together for both of those.”
The segment will also give the country a little taste
of Asheville, and its focus on health and giving back
to the community, said local leaders. “Sorting food
today is about showing the rest of the world how
much we give on a daily basis to our community,”
said Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy.
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010302240035
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