FORMER “AMERICAN IDOL” FINALISTS VOLUNTEER
TO SUPPORT “IDOL GIVES BACK” INITIATIVE

AT FEEDING AMERICA FOOD BANKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

IDOL GIVES BACK Airs Wednesday, April 21, on FOX

This week, former AMERICAN IDOL finalists from all around the country, including Amy Adams, Bo Bice, Didi Benami, Lacey Brown, Kevin Covais, Bucky Covington, Diana DeGarmo, Julia DeMato, Melinda Doolittle, Chikezie, Gina Glocksen, Danny Gokey, Mikalah Gordon, RJ Helton, David Hernandez, Mandisa, Michael Johns, LaKisha Jones, Megan Joy, Blake Lewis, Kimberley Locke, LaToya London, Melissa McGhee, Jorge Núñez, Amanda Overmyer, Brandon Rogers, Phil Stacey, Ruben Studdard, Elliott Yamin and Ace Young, will volunteer to help support Feeding America’s local food banks and IDOL GIVES BACK, which airs Wednesday, April 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

“Being a part of IDOL was such a blessing, and I just want to give back in any way that I can. There are so many people here and across the world who are in need of help, and people can help by supporting IDOL GIVES BACK,” said Season Five AMERICAN IDOL finalist Elliott Yamin, who traveled to Angola with IDOL judge Kara DioGuardi for IDOL GIVES BACK.

Feeding America, one of the IDOL GIVES BACK beneficiaries, is the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Their mission is to feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger. Each year, the Feeding America network provides food to more than 37 million low-income people facing hunger in the United States, including more than 14 million children and nearly 3 million seniors.

The former IDOL finalists will be volunteering in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Nashville, Seattle, Houston, Birmingham and Tampa as follows:

TUESDAY, APRIL 13

* THE LOS ANGELES REGIONAL FOOD BANK, LOS ANGELES – Kimberley Locke, Didi Benami, David Hernandez, Amy Adams, Chikezie, Mikalah Gordon, Elliott Yamin, Kevin Covais, Michael Johns, LaToya London and Brandon Rogers will pack food in boxes for senior citizens and young children in need at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

The brainchild of Simon Fuller, IDOL GIVES BACK has made history by raising over $140 million for charity to date. This year’s special will help raise awareness and funds to benefit various U.S. and international charities, including Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America, Malaria No More, Save the Children’s U.S. Programs and the United Nations Foundation. As previously announced, News Corporation, Ford Motor Company, Coca-Cola, AT&T and ExxonMobil will return as corporate sponsors of IDOL GIVES BACK and will generously donate to the historic Emmy Award-winning television event.

Additionally, viewers can visit www.idolgivesback.org now and join the “Help Me Give Back” program, an online initiative that empowers individuals and teams to help raise money for IDOL GIVES BACK. The website also allows access to an online auction featuring one-of-a-kind items such as an AMERICAN IDOL Season Ticket Pass, a Meet & Greet with Simon Cowell, a pair of autographed sneakers from Ellen DeGeneres and more. Net proceeds will benefit the IDOL GIVES BACK Foundation, and the auction runs until 11:59 PM PT on Tuesday, April 20