SALT LAKE CITY — Operation Rice Bowl is a Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten solidarity program. Just as we celebrate the Eucharist on Sundays, we can use Operation Rice Bowl as a way to "break bread" together with family and loved ones. The annual Operation Rice Bowl collection will begin Feb. 21, on Ash Wednesday and continue through the Lenten season. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) was established in 1943, as the official overseas relief and development agency of the United States Catholic Community. The fundamental motivating force of Catholic Relief Services is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That motivation compels the agency to alleviate human suffering, to foster justice and charity, and to enhance the development of peoples around the world. Catholic Relief Services provides assistance on the basis of need, not creed, race, or ethnicity. Operation Rice Bowl started as a program of the Diocese of Allentown, Pa., in 1975, and was adopted nationally by CRS in 1976. With participation in almost every diocese in the United States, many parishes and schools have adopted Operation Rice Bowl to make the program fit with the unique needs of their communities. Annually, Operation Rice Bowl raises approximately $8 million. Seventy-five percent of these proceeds come to CRS to help fund development projects that contribute to food security in 40 countries around the world. Twenty-five percent of Operation Rice Bowl funds remain in local dioceses in the United States to fund local hunger and poverty alleviation projects. Through the Rice Bowl, we join in the traditional practices of Lent and pray as a community, fast through making sacrifices, give concrete assistance to those most in need, while we learn about the joys and challenges in the lives of our brothers and sisters around the world. Operation Rice Bowl makes a difference in our faith communities around the world through prayer, fasting, learning, and giving. Using Operation Rice Bowl, participants pray and reflect on the realities, challenges, and gifts of our neighbors around the world who struggle with hunger and poverty. The Lenten practices for simple meals and fasting help participants use this traditional Lenten practice to express solidarity with our brothers and sisters who do not have enough food. Participants put their faith into action by giving of their time and resources in a thoughtful manner. Since the program began in 1975, Operation Rice Bowl has raised millions of dollars to assist our brothers and sisters around the world. Where does the money go? Through your prayers, sacrifices, and generous donations to help people in communities around the world and here in the United States, the money assists agriculture projects helping farmers improve crop yields and increase food security in communities, and it goes toward water projects to bring clean water to communities. The money is used to micro-finance projects and encourage the growth of small businesses. Mother and Child Health projects provide basic health and nutrition services. Education projects provide resources and training. HIV/AIDS projects support the local Catholic Church in communities around the world in addressing the many needs of people affected by this disease. For more information on Operation Rice Bowl, visit www.crs.org/orb, or contact Jeffrey Griffith at jgriffit@crs.org.
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