Local foodbank to conduct first Harvest for Hunger Virtual Idol

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is making history by conducting the first Harvest for Hunger Virtual Idol.

This unique online singing competition raises funds to feed the hungry in our community through the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. Each day, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank and their team of supporters provide 72,000 meals to food insecure individuals.

The Foodbank is encouraging individuals and ensembles of all ages and quantities to show the community their vocal talents.

Find your video camera and follow these simple steps:

* Create a video- Simply submit a 3-minute or less unique singing video by March 24, 2013 to akroncantonfoodbank.org.

* Get the most votes- Rally your friends, family members and co-workers to visit virtualidol.org April 1 through April 30, 2013 to vote for your video. Every dollar that is donated will count as one vote for the video. $5 = 5 votes = 20 meals.

The video with the most votes when voting closes on April 30, 2013 will be named the 2013 Harvest for Hunger Virtual Idol winner! A $5 donation can provide 20 meals to hungry men, women and children in our community. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

“Virtual Idol is a great way to raise funds to feed the hungry while supporting local singers and vocal groups for the title of Harvest for Hunger Idol,” said Dan Flowers, President and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

The Harvest for Hunger Virtual Idol is one component of the 2013 Harvest for Hunger campaign. Businesses, school organizations and families are holding food and funds drives during the month of March. Local grocers and businesses including Buehler’s Fresh Foods, Dave’s Supermarkets, Fishers Foods, Giant Eagle, Heinen’s Fine Foods, Huntington Bank, and Walgreen’s are participating in Check Out Hunger, which allows customers to scan coupons and make donations of $1, $5, or $10 at registers.

Besides bragging rights as being crowned the first Harvest for Hunger Virtual Idol winner, the competition champion will have the opportunity to sing during the Foodbank’s Harvest for Hunger wrap-up event, will be featured on virtualidol.org for a year, and will be included in Foodbank publicity surrounding the event.