Below Paul Tergat celebrates his New York City Marathon victory.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 15th - 6:30 pm

WHAT: Friends of the World Food Program hosts its annual award ceremony and reception to honor leaders in the fight against hunger. The event brings together Members of Congress, Administration officials, diplomats, the corporate community, advocacy groups, and others interested in efforts to fight hunger.

WHO: Senator Richard Durbin(D-IL) and World Food Program Ambassador Paul Tergat will be honored.

Senator Durbin has been an influential leader in successful efforts to establish and fund global school feeding programs through the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. He has led efforts to ensure sufficient food aid is provided to prevent famine in the world's poorest countries and to fight hunger in the US through both national and community level programs.

Paul Tergat is a key leader in efforts to promote school feeding programs around the world. The 2005 New York City Marathon champion, marathon world record holder, and two-time Olympic medal winner benefited from school feeding programs as a child in Kenya; he now works to ensure that these invaluable programs reach other children in need.

Former Agriculture Secretary Jack Block and Congressman Jim Ryun (R-KS) will present the awards. World Food Program Executive Director James Morris will offer comments, and several Ambassadors and other Members of Congress will also be in attendance.

WHY: In addition to honoring leaders in the fight against hunger, the event aims to raise awareness about the enormous problem of global hunger and highlight effective efforts to fight it. Hunger is the #1 health threat in the world - killing more people than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. Over 850 million people, nearly 15% of the world's population, suffer from hunger. Every four seconds, someone dies of hunger. For an average of 30 cents per day, the World Food Program (WFP) can deliver food to someone suffering from hunger. For an average of just 19 cents per day, or $34 per school year, WFP can feed a child in school.

WHERE: Columbus Club at Union Station - Washington, DC

The Monsanto Company is the signature sponsor of this event.