Would you jump into 37 degree lake water - on purpose?

Hundreds of people did just that on Saturday afternoon, in the 10th annual Portage Lakes Polar Bear Jump.

Over 850 people jumped into the frigid lake water to raise money for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

That's according to Foodbank president/CEO Dan Flowers, who led the way by taking the plunge with his son.

"My son, who's 12 years old, challenged me that he would jump with me," Flowers says, "And so we started the jump, we were the very first two people to hop in. And I was so proud of him to do that...and it was something we can share together, we were high-fiving it all the way."

Flowers says the icy water jump will lead to big money for the Foodbank.

"I think the average jumper got about $100 in sponsorship," Flowers tells AkronNewsNow.com. "So, it's $25 to jump, and the jumpers got t-shirts for their participation. But this year, we're anticipating when everything gets added up, over $100,000 from this one event."

Flowers says jumping to the cold water of the Portage Lakes isn't like jumping into a cold shower, which is actually about 15 degrees warmer.

"I think a lot of folks kind of measure what the experience will be like kind of a guess what they experience in a cold shower, and it's really, really different", Flowers says. "Your body can kind of relate to a 50 degree shower, but 37 degree lake water is a whole different experience."

He says the lake water felt like pinpricks on your skin.

Flowers says each dollar provides four meals for hungry members of the Akron/Canton community. The organization provides about 180,000 meals each year.

He says in case you missed it taking part either as a jumper or a sponsor, you can make a donation to the foodbank at the checkout at many area grocery stores including Giant Eagle and Buehler's, and you can find out more information at AkronCantonFoodbank.org.

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On the Web: Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, www.AkronCantonFoodbank.org