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Giving alms through CRS Rice Bowl supports those in need globally, locally
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February 16, 2024By supporting Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowl Program this Lent, you are supporting people most in need in the Diocese of Baton Rouge as well as other parts of the globe, according to Derrick Rials,
Faith and Community Partnerships coordinator for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.
According to the CRS website, Rice Bowl invites Catholics and faith communities in the United States to encounter God and our global family throughout Lent by practicing the three pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Lenten alms donated through CRS Rice Bowl support the work of CRS in more than 120 different countries each year. Twenty-five percent of donations to Rice Bowl stay in the local diocese, supporting hunger and poverty alleviation efforts. Since its inception in 1975, CSR Rice Bowl has raised more than $330 million.
“Twenty five percent of the funds donated locally come back (to CCDBR) so we can fund critical programs that are hunger based,” said Rials.
These funds allow CCDBR to help people through programs such as Faith-Full mobile food pantry, which brings food to underserved people in Baton Rouge and rural areas of the diocese; Sanctuary for Life, a maternity home program for pregnant, homeless women over the age of 18; and people served by the Foster Grandparents Program.
Rice Bowl participants receive a cardboard box to collect Lenten alms and a calendar that guides them through the Lenten season with activities.
CRS Rice Bowl shares stories of hope from CRS’ work around the world. These stories are examples of the communities where people’s Lenten alms are changing lives. The stories are accompanied by a simple, meatless recipe that families are encouraged to prepare on Fridays during Lent.
Rials said, “The physical box is a sacramental reminder as you're going about your Lenten practices that there are people who go hungry even though that might not be a part of your own personal experience. And in the Baton Rouge diocese, it's still a reality that our neighbors face, whether we're aware of it or we're not.”
Participating parishes and schools in the diocese will be distributing Rice Bowl donation boxes. Another way to participate is to visit crsricebowl.org.Dear Jesus,
You call us, as members of the body of Christ, to serve one another.
This Lent, may we be your eyes, to see with compassion.
May we be your hands and feet, to serve with love.
By encountering you in the Bread of Life,
may we joyfully share bread for life with all members of our global family.
Amen
CRS Rice Bowl Prayer
