Operation Rice Bowl: A Lenten Tradition
About Operation Rice Bowl
Operation Rice Bowl, the official Lenten Program of Catholic Relief Services, began in 1975 in the Diocese of Allentown, PA as a response to the drought in the African Sahel. For 33 years, Operation Rice Bowl has called participants to pray with their families and faith communities; fast in solidarity with those who hunger; learn about our global community and the challenges of poverty overseas, and give sacrificial contributions to those in need. Since its beginning Operation Rice Bowl has raised more than $160 million to fund development projects that improve peoples’ ability to access food around the world and in local diocesan communities in the United States. Today, more than 14,000 faith communities across the United States participate in Operation Rice Bowl as a way to respect human dignity and foster solidarity with the poor around the world.
Operation Rice Bowl has served as a tangible way for Catholics in the United States to connect in solidarity with our brothers and sisters overseas for more than 30 years. Receive answers to your Frequently Asked Questions, or contact us to learn more about how you can become involved in this Lenten tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are contributions to Operation Rice Bowl used?
Seventy-five percent of Rice Bowl proceeds come to Catholic Relief Services and help fund development projects designed to increase food security in communities in over 40 countries around the world. No Operation Rice Bowl funds are used for emergency programming.
CRS development projects include:
- Agriculture projects helping farmers improve crop yields and increase food security in communities.
- Water projects bringing clean water to communities.
- Microfinance projects encouraging the growth of small businesses.
- Mother and Child Health projects providing basic health and nutrition services.
- Education projects providing resources and training.
- HIV and AIDS projects supporting the local Catholic Church in communities around the world in addressing the many needs of people affected by this disease.
Twenty-five percent of contributions support hunger and poverty alleviation efforts in dioceses in the United States.
Learn more about how Operation Rice Bowl funds are used around the world and in your community by visiting our interactive map.
Why does 25 percent of the money raised remain in the diocese?
Catholic Relief Services believes that the 25 percent of Operation Rice Bowl contributions remaining in the dioceses affirms the importance of our global responsibility as Christians to assist those in need both around the corner and around the world.
The contributions remaining in the diocese help participants to understand the plight of the poor overseas through the experience of the poor in their own communities.
Learn more about how Operation Rice Bowl funds are used around the world and in your community by visiting our interactive map.
How does Operation Rice Bowl differ from a typical second collection?
Operation Rice Bowl is not just about putting the money in a Rice Bowl during Lent. It is comprised of four equally important components: praying, fasting, learning and giving. The alms are collected in the home during Lent as one part of the program. Alms are a part of a Lenten sacrifice that includes praying and fasting. Other resource materials such as the Home Calendar Guide encourage participants to pray and fast in solidarity with the poor. In addition to giving alms, participants are given the opportunity to learn about the developing world and spiritually enhance their Lenten experience.
How much money was raised by Operation Rice Bowl in 2007?
More than 14,000 parishes, schools and faith communities participated in Operation Rice Bowl 2007. Annually, approximately $8 million are contributed through Operation Rice Bowl. Seventy-five percent of Operation Rice Bowl contributions come to Catholic Relief Services to fund development projects overseas and Lenten education projects in the United States. Twenty-five percent of Operation Rice Bowl contributions remain in diocese in the United States to help fund local hunger and poverty alleviation projects.
Learn more about how Operation Rice Bowl funds are used around the world and in your community by visiting our interactive map.
Contact Operation Rice Bowl
By E-mail:
By Phone:
1-800-222-0025
By Mail:
PO Box 17090
Baltimore MD 21203-7090
