Operation Rice Bowl to aid poor, educate

Published: February 17, 2007

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 this Lent. The fundraising program, sponsored by Catholic Relief Services, is designed to reduce poverty and hunger both locally and around the world. ORB involves the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving while also learning about developing countries.

According to CRS, the international humanitarian relief agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, more than 15,400 parishes, schools and community groups will participate in the program in 2007.

Annually ORB raises about $8 million; 75 percent of which goes toward development, education and healthcare projects in 40 countries globally. The other 25 percent remains in local dioceses.

In 2006, the 117 parishes and Catholic schools in the Diocese of Little Rock that participated in ORB raised $28,639.99. This is $8,796.99 more than was raised in 2005.

The 25 percent that stayed in the diocese was $7,159.91. This money went to support the Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Program.

Rebecca Spencer of Catholic Charities of Arkansas organizes the ORB for the diocese. She said those who view it as a "kids' program" are mistaken.

"In the ORB community and parish guides, there are suggestions for integrating ORB into community activities, bulletin announcements for each week of Lent, prayer intentions and even homily notes," she said.

In addition CRS offers other programs that Spencer recommended such as Fair Trade, Food Fast and Cyberbridges. To learn how to incorporate these into Lenten observances, visit the Web site http://www.crs.org.

For more information about ORB, call Spencer at (501) 664-0340, ext. 355.

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