A fundraiser for Christian humanitarian organization World Vision's efforts in feeding hungry children worldwide, Feed the Flock (EMI CMG/EMI CMG Distribution) will be available for stores participating in the CBA-sponsored Oct. 1-10 event—intended to build awareness of Christian retail stores and draw new customers.

The $5 CD will include songs from artists such as Sanctus Real, Nichole Nordeman, Amy Grant, Francesca Battistelli and Group 1 Crew. Additionally, the CD will include e-books from Mark Mittelburg, Kyle Idleman, Mike Slaughter and Randy Frazee as well as a video and participants' guide from Stuck (Thomas Nelson) by Jennie Allen.

In its debut effort Oct. 23 last year, Christian Store Day raised $60,000 to aid in relief efforts for Haiti through a compilation benefit CD. Also sold for $5, Help Haiti (Sparrow Records/EMI CMG Distribution)—with songs from artists such as Newsboys and TobyMac—raised money for the work of Compassion International, Samaritan's Purse and World Vision in the earthquake-devastated country. More than 10,000 copies of the CD were purchased in 2010, CBA said.

Feed the Flock features contributed songs and e-books from sponsoring vendors of Christian Store Week, including Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, Tyndale House Publishers, Baker Publishing Group, Abingdon Press, EMI CMG Distribution, Provident-Integrity Distribution and Word Distribution.

Organizers anticipate the number of stores participating in this year's event will double that of the 2010 launch, when 475 stores signed up. LifeWay Christian Stores was the only chain to take part in last year's Christian Store Day. Others that had expressed interest did not have the time to prepare merchandising and promotional plans, prompting organizers to bring preparations forward for this year.

All chains and marketing groups are due to take part in this year's event, which will start on Columbus Day—typically a busy retail day. Besides the benefit CD, there will be more in-store appearances by artists and authors to promote this year's Christian Store Day.

"The expanded campaign allows retailers to better merchandise their stores and provide more opportunities for consumers, author and artists to participate," said Curtis Riskey, CBA's executive director.

As the ministry partner for this year's event, World Vision will help "bring Christian stores and their customers together around a central mission," said Andy Peterson, vice president of Propeller Consulting, who is coordinating Christian Store Day on behalf of CBA. "We want Christian Store Week to be about more than products."

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