Feed the Need with DoSomething.org Help the Homeless: Update

Over 1.2 million pounds of food were collected from food drives around the country under Participant Media’s and DoSomething.org’s “Feed the Need” program, in which more than 26,000 young people took part.  The program, which I wrote about this past fall, was one component of Participant’s social action campaign for the upcoming film The Soloist.  Clearly a tremendous success, the drive helped to empower young people to combat hunger in their communities. Over 400 schools nationwide signed up to be a part of the “Feed the Need” campaign and single schools collected over 40,000 pounds of food. Emphasizing the film’s message of the power of music, the five top-collecting drives won $1,000 grants for an arts or music program for young people in their school or community and one grand prize winner also won a screening of The Soloist for their group. Hoquiam High School, in Hoquiam, Washington took the top prize: "Students worked with local businesses to raise money and food, we did variety shows, staff competitions and many other creative things,” says Hoquiam teacher Bonnie Jump. “Hoquiam raised $12,000 in one day alone. It's the most amazing display of generosity that one can witness in our tiny community. Jamie Foxx, the Academy Award®-winning star of The Soloist, and Corbin Bleu, star of High School Musical recorded public service announcements to help promote the program.  Check out the PSA's after the jump, and takepart by finding out what you can do to help on the action page for The Soloist. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmrDL8vnpyo httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MM3AFpo0vQ