While the United States continues to dwell on the stock market plunge and the current credit crisis, there are severe worldwide consequences to the nation's economic woes that have gone virtually unnoticed by most Americans.  

"Average food prices around the world between 2006 and 2008 have risen at staggering levels," said Mark Hanlon, senior vice president for Compassion International-USA.  "Rice during this time rose by 217 percent, wheat by 136 percent, maize by 125 percent and soybeans by 107 percent. While most of us here in America will commit to cutting coupons to offset costs, the poor will cut meals. These increases mean more than a tightening of the belt. It can literally affect their very survival."

Compassion International, the world's largest one-to-one child sponsorship organization, is uniquely positioned to provide immediate relief by transferring funds through its existing infrastructure and ensuring that those who need help most are helped first. Therefore, nearly 1,000 Christian radio stations across the United States are working with Compassion to help children around the world by designating March 11 as Global Food Crisis Awareness Day.

"I have been fighting poverty for more than 30 years," said Wess Stafford, president and CEO of Compassion International. "Throughout that time I have never seen the potential for devastation that I see in the current global food crisis."

"I am so excited that STAR 99.1 is part of eliminating the face of hunger in the world," said Johnny Stone, program director and morning show host at WAWZ Star 99.1, which covers the New York City and New Jersey markets. "Nothing of this magnitude has ever been done before."

Compassion International is working around the globe to permanently rescue children from poverty, not merely sustain them through it. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1 million children in 25 of the world's poorest countries through nearly 5,000 local churches. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works holistically through local churches to address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children — enabling  them to thrive not just survive. Compassion has been awarded seven consecutive, four-star ratings by Charity Navigator, America's largest charity evaluator.

Radio stations interested in participating in Global Food Crisis Day should visit: www.Compassion.com/global-food-crisis/forradio.html

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