Announcing news that leaked two weeks ago, Columbia Records said Wednesday that Bob Dylan is releasing a Christmas album. "Christmas in the Heart" goes on sale Oct. 13, and the Minnesota-born and-raised legend will use royalties from the album to combat hunger.

All of the royalties from sales of the recordings will be donated to Feeding America, "guaranteeing that more than 4 million meals will be provided to more than 1.4 million people in need in this country during this year's holiday season" and beyond, the music company said.

Also, Columbia said, Dylan is coordinating with two international charities to provide holiday meals in the United Kingdom and the developing world, and will be donating all of his future international royalties from the album to those organizations in perpetuity. Details about those arrangements will be announced next week.

"Christmas in the Heart" is Dylan's 47th album in a recording career that is nearing the half-century mark.

Paul Walsh