Gates Foundation Gives $17.6M to Feed Hungry

Tthe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is giving $17.6 million to several organizations, including Mercy Corps, 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 Niger, Cote D'Ivoire and Burkina Faso, Africa.

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.