Former 'AMERICAN IDOL' Finalists Volunteer To Support 'Idol Gives Back' Initiative

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 Nunez, 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.

UTAH FOOD BANK, SALT LAKE CITY - Megan Joy will assist a group of 30 volunteers who will sort through food-drive donations, divide them into categories and prepare food boxes.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14

GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY, CHICAGO - Gina Glocksen and Amanda Overmyer will join a group of volunteers to pack disaster relief boxes for Feeding America.

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE, NASHVILLE -Lacey Brown, Bucky Covington, Melinda Doolittle, Bo Bice, Phil Stacey and Mandisa will work with other volunteers to pack disaster-relief boxes for Feeding America.

FOOD LIFELINE, SEATTLE - Blake Lewis will assist a group of volunteers in sorting and repacking products to be distributed to families in need.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15

JAN HUS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEW YORK - Ace Young, Diana DeGarmo, Jorge Nunez, Julia DeMato and RJ Helton will lend a helping hand to hungry New Yorkers by delivering food with City Harvest.

HOUSTON FOOD BANK, HOUSTON - LaKisha Jones will be working with a group of volunteers who will inspect donated food and prepare it to be re-distributed to 400 agencies.

FEEDING AMERICA TAMPA BAY, TAMPA - Melissa McGhee will spread hope to people in need by working with a group of volunteers to sort and package food.

FRIDAY, APRIL 16

UNITED WAY COMMUNITY FOOD, BIRMINGHAM - Ruben Studdard will label cans and pack boxes.

THREE SQUARE, LAS VEGAS - Danny Gokey will assist a group of volunteers to sort through donated food that will be used to feed local families in need.

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.

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America. The series features host Ryan Seacrest and judges Simon Cowell, Ellen Degeneres, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson.

Visit americanidol.com for more information on IDOL GIVES BACK in addition to exclusive videos, photos, special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.

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