On November 28, church leaders from many Canadian Christian denominations and their relief and development agencies participated in a one-day fast as a symbol of their commitment to ending hunger.

In addition to spending the day in fasting and prayer, the church leaders added their names to a letter sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The letter encourages the federal government to strengthen its efforts to reduce and end hunger.

"This fast serves as a witness to Canadians, to our government, and to the world," says Rev. Richard Fee, General Secretary of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. "We may have differing opinions on some issues, but there is one thing we all agree on. Hunger must end. It is not acceptable that there are still over 800 million people in the world without sufficient food to eat."

Rev. Fee serves as the chairperson of the Board of Directors of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, the agency that ties all of these Christian churches together in the work of ending hunger. Owned by 15 church agencies (either the denominations themselves or their relief and development agencies such as ADRA Canada), Canadian Foodgrains Bank has distributed more than one million tonnes of food aid and supported agricultural programming in more than 74 countries around the world since 1983.

Jim Cornelius, Executive Director of Canadian Foodgrains Bank stated "In this busy season leading to the celebration of the birth of Christ, when we are surrounded by increased consumption, spending, activities, and eating, we encourage people to pause to consider those who live with so much less."

With this day of fasting, Canadian Foodgrains Bank has launched a new program called End Hunger Fast. It is hoped that this program will provide a meaningful way for Canadians to get involved in the work of ending hunger in whatever way they can, whether through a monthly donation of $35 to help approximately 5 people get access to food each month, or through a commitment to fasting, reducing consumption, or seeking justice for the hungry and oppressed.

Juno award-winning singer/songwriter Steve Bell, who partnered with the Foodgrains Bank in developing End Hunger Fast, joined the church leaders in the fast on November 28. "I had an opportunity to make a connection with people living with hunger in Ethiopia last year. My greatest conviction when I returned was not simply that I needed to be more generous, but that I needed to seek a greater balance between our abundance and their disparity. I can live with less if it means that some of my friends in Ethiopia will have food on their tables."