Operation Rice Bowl
Parishioners in the Diocese of Little Rock are asked to join fellow Catholics across the country in putting their faith into action through Operation Rice Bowl (ORB) during Lent. The program, sponsored by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), begins on Ash Wednesday. Last year more than 72 parishes and schools in our diocese participated in the program, raising $28,964.
Participants in ORB put money they would have spent on a large meal into cardboard boxes called “rice bowls” in exchange for eating an inexpensive meatless meal each week. At the end of Lent, the rice bowls are collected and the money raised goes to help people suffering from poverty and hunger around the world.
ORB is not just about putting money in a rice bowl. It combines four equally important components: praying, fasting, learning and giving. CRS has resources to help participants learn about the developing world and to deepen their Lenten experience with spiritual reflection. Many of these resources can be downloaded, and all are free:
- The calendar included with each rice bowl serves as a daily guide for prayer and fasting in solidarity with the poor.
- Community Parish Guides provide bulletin announcements, homily notes and prayer services.
- Educator’s Guides outline lesson plans that can be easily integrated into classroom activities.
Seventy-five percent of the ORB collection is sent to CRS to help support their projects worldwide. The other 25 percent stays in our diocese and helps those in need at the local level. Of the money raised last year in our diocese, $7,241 went to Catholic Charities' Parish Emergency Assistance.
Other CRS programs can be used to complement ORB activities or used alone:
- Fair Trade — hosting a Work of Human Hands consignment sale is a great activity that can be done by anyone, any time. Supporting Fair Trade could also be as simple as serving Fair Trade coffee at special gatherings.
- Food Fast — a 24-hour hunger awareness retreat for youth in grades 8-12.
Read about ORB in Arkansas Catholic. To learn more, visit CRS or contact Rebecca Cargile, who coordinates the program in the Diocese of Little Rock.
Updated March 15, 2011