I would like to thank our friends at the Jesuitical Podcast for reminding me that this Lenten Season, in addition to being part of the Jubilee of Hope, also marks the 50th anniversary of Operation Rice Bowl, a program sponsored by Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
The CRS website states:
Fifty years ago, Catholics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, organized to bring help to families facing famine in Africa. That help came in the form of a small cardboard box, marking the beginning of “Operation Rice Bowl.” Today, as we celebrate CRS Rice Bowl’s 50th anniversary, the program is a tradition for millions of Catholics in the United States who continue to answer the Gospel call, supporting families experiencing hunger around the world. www.ricebowl.org
On the current episode of the Jesuitical Podcast, the hosts, Ashley and Zack, interview Bill O’ Keefe, the executive vice president for Mission, Mobilization and Advocacy at CRS. As with other non-profit Relief Agencies, these are uncertain times for CRS, as they strive to navigate the cuts or freezes in funding under President Donald Trump’s administration.
As important and concerning as the current political debates may be, I felt that it was important to recognize and, perhaps especially at this time, to focus on all that Operation Rice Bowl and CRS have been able to do over these 50 years, as well as all the good work that continues. In the conversation on the podcast, Ashley recalls the “quarters and dollar bills” that she contributed to Operation Rice Bowl while she was in Elementary school and middle school, and Mr. O’Brien shares the following:
“It’s amazing how quarters and dollars add up when millions of people contribute them. In the 50 year history of Rice Bowl, over 350 million dollars has been contributed and that’s literally hundreds of millions of people whose lives have been transformed, who have more food to eat, more nutrition for their children and it is just an incredible contribution that our Catholic population has made during these 50 years – One dollar, one quarter, at a time…”
I have learned that our Diocese has a long history of participation in and support of Operation Rice Bowl since its inception and that many of our parishes have faithfully and generously participated as well. I thank and encourage individuals, families, schools, parishes, and others who are participating in Operation Rice Bowl this year. For those who have not heard of Operation Rice Bowl or others who may not have received their “box,” it is not too late. You can go to the website for more information, to sign up to participate during Lent, and/or to “Donate Now.”
