The global food crisis is forcing more and more people, millions of them, to go hungry. That's why Compassion International has set aside June 25, 2008, as a day of prayer and fasting. Meanwhile, as food costs rise the rate of charitable giving is down.

What is the global food crisis?
The World Food Programme calls the global food crisis a "silent tsunami" that affects families in every nation on every continent. Prices for everyday items such as rice, wheat and beans have doubled in the last year. The poor, most of all, bear the brunt of these increases. People who were already surviving on only $1 a day now spend about 80 percent of their incomes on food alone.

Why is the global food crisis happening?
Food shortages have affected developing countries for generations. But since 2005, food prices have risen a whopping 80 percent due to: rising fuel costs; increasing demand in nations such as India and China; natural disasters that destroy crop yields worldwide (including the U.S.); unethical governments; and the growth of biofuels.

That's why Compassion has asked those of us who have the luxury of choosing to go without food to spend one day living in solidarity with and prayer for those who have no choice.

I would also encourage you to give to your favorite charity that helps the hungry. If you don't currently sponsor a child, here are some links to kids needing sponsors at Compassion or Adopt-a-Legacy.