BOB DYLAN PARTNERS WITH INTERNATIONAL CHARITIES TO HELP FEED HUNDREDS-OF-THOUSANDS DURING HOLIDAY SEASON

CRISIS UK AND WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME TO RECEIVE ARTIST’S ROYALTIES FROM CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART CD IN PERPETUITY

LONDON (23/09/2009) All of Bob Dylan’s international royalties from his forthcoming album of holiday songs, Christmas In The Heart—which is being released on Monday, October 12—will be donated to The World Food Programme and Crisis UK in perpetuity, it was announced today by Columbia Records. Dylan’s immediate donations will provide 500,000 meals to school children in the developing world during the holidays through the WFP and 15,000 meals to homeless people in the United Kingdom during the eight days of Christmas (December 23—December 30) through Crisis.

The WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide, aiming to feed 108 million people in 74 countries in 2009. Crisis is the United Kingdom’s national charity for single homeless people, dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change.

Today’s news follows the recent announcement of Bob Dylan’s partnership with Feeding America in the United States in which he is donating all of his U.S. royalties from Christmas In The Heart to that organization in perpetuity.

“Bob Dylan’s generosity to help WFP feed the world’s hungry couldn’t come at a better time. Starting this Christmas, we can give a meal to thousands of hungry school children all over the world ,a gift of a lifetime” said Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of WFP. “The number of hungry in the world—many of them children—has hit a historic high while food assistance has reached a historic low. For 80 percent of the world, a government safety net is little more than a dream. Bob Dylan’s new album will help change that.”

Leslie Morphy, Chief Executive, Crisis, said, “At Christmas, Crisis provides companionship and support to alleviate loneliness and isolation together with vital services, such as housing and job advice, to help people take their first steps out of homelessness. We are very grateful to Bob Dylan for his generous donation from the proceeds of his latest album. The money will help us provide thousands of hot meals to our guests including a traditional Christmas dinner.”

Bob Dylan commented, “That the problem of hunger is ultimately solvable means we must each do what we can to help feed those who are suffering and support efforts to find long-term solutions. I’m honored to partner with The World Food Programme and Crisis in their fight against hunger and homelessness.”

Christmas In The Heart will be the 47th album from Bob Dylan, and follows his worldwide chart-topping Together Through Life, released earlier this year. Songs performed by Dylan on this new album include, “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Little Drummer Boy” and “Must Be Santa.”