Originally published August 14, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified August 15, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Gates Foundation gives $17.6 million to feed hungry

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is giving $17.6 million to help people affected by the global food crisis. The largest grant announced...

By The Associated Press

SEATTLE — The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is giving $17.6 million to help people affected by the global food crisis.

The largest grant announced Thursday will contribute $10 million to the World Food Programme to help feed young children and pregnant and breast-feeding mothers in the African nations of Niger, Cote D'Ivoire and Burkina Faso.

Catholic Relief Services, Mercy Corps and Oxfam America are getting a total of $7.6 million.

The United Nations reports 950 million people worldwide are at risk of hunger and malnutrition because of rising food and fuel costs.

While these are emergency grants, the Gates Foundation's global-development program is focused on battling hunger in the long term by helping improve agriculture in developing countries.

The foundation has made grants totaling $800 million to help small-scale farmers in Africa and South Asia.

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