A South Whidbey group joined the fight against two global epidemics — hunger and obesity — by participating in the Lose For Good campaign.

As local Weight Watchers members lose weight, they’ve also been collecting food to donate to the Good Cheer Food Bank to help their neighbors in need.

Within seven weeks, the group lost 202.4 pounds and collected 228 pounds of food.

“The Lose For Good campaign provides a chance for folks to adopt a healthier lifestyle, reduce their weight and help someone in need,” said Caryn Shively, the local Weight Watchers territory manager.

“Some members have brought in food donations equivalent to their weight loss so they can make sure their loss is someone else’s gain,” Shively said.

Food banks across the nation are reporting that the demand for assistance has increased as much as 40 percent this year, leaving many food banks unable to fill their shelves and help those in need.

On a national level, Weight Watchers has pledged to donate $250,000 for every million pounds that Weight Watchers members lost between

Aug. 31 and Oct. 17, up to a total of $1 million.

Early estimates show that Weight Watchers has reached its donation goal by losing approximately 4 million pounds across the country. The funds will be donated to two hunger-fighting organizations —Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger.

Weight Watchers staff and members have also participated in more than 3,300 food drives throughout the country, where an estimated 2 million pounds of food has been collected for local food banks.