Mike Mallory lost 20 pounds during the last two months thanks to diet and exercise.

The chief executive officer of Second Harvest Food Bank is looking to shed a few more pounds but for a good cause.

He’s looking to maintain his current weight-loss while cutting five fewer pounds – all told, 25 pounds – to go towards his pledge for The Biggest Loser / Feeding America “Pound for Pound Challenge.”

For every pound groups and organizations pledge between now and May 31, NBC’s “The Biggest Loser: Couples” in conjunction with General Mills and Subway will donate 11 cents to Second Harvest via Feeding America.

The “Pound for Pound Challenge,” now in its third year as a national campaign, encourages weight loss and healthy living as way of combating hunger in local communities.

Last year, Second Harvest servicing San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties received $3,211.74 thanks to the total pledge of 29,197 pounds.

 “We did that by practically doing nothing,” Mallory added on Friday.

He believes Second Harvest will have more to gain this year by promoting the event, especially with the Manteca Chamber of Commerce, the Manteca City Council and CV Merchant members, to name a few, taking part in the “challenge.”

For his effort, Mallory’s pledge could amount to $2.75.

Councilwoman Debby Moorhead, who is also the executive director for the Chamber, and Shirley Goulart of CV Merchants are both pledging to lose 20 pounds, equaling $2.20 each.

They’re encouraging their colleagues to do likewise.

“I’m throwing the challenge to my fellow council members,” said Moorhead, who lost 35 pounds a year ago by going on a five-meal, 1,000-calories per day diet.

Goulart will also urge her staff of about 17 to get involved.

Alanna Robins, who is the administrative services coordinator for Second Harvest, said the public can also take the pledge and join the “Second Harvest Food Bank of SJ and Stan” team by logging on to www.pfpchallenge.com.

Every pledge to lose weight will help Feeding America secure groceries on behalf of the 200 food banks, including Second Harvest.

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with fuel to survive and thrive, serving as the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charities.

Robins said that the Feeding America, in the aftermath of the challenge, will send Second Harvest with a check, which, in turn, will be used to feed those in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.

All told, the “Pound for Pound Challenge” will secure up to 9.4 million pounds of groceries to food banks throughout the country.

“Hunger continues to be a daily struggle for millions of families across America,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. “By simply participating in the Pound for Pound Challenge, Americans can help support our network of more than 200 food banks with much needed groceries.”

For more information, call Second Harvest at 209-239-2091 or the Chamber at 209-823-6121.