Operation Rice Bowl

Almsgiving

We have introduced our children to Operation: Rice Bowl (Catholic Relief Services), the official Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services.  Remember these?  Every year as a kid, we had our rice bowls to help out those less fortunate then us.  We explained to our kids that Operation Rice Bowl offers anyone in the United States a way to connect with our brothers and sisters overseas.

crs.com

The kids school provides a “rice bowl” – a small carboard collection box – (contact CRS in advance to get a free “rice bowl” for each child) for each of your children and encourage them to contribute to it throughout the season of Lent.

CRS will also provide a calendar for you to follow that educates daily.  Here is daily reading and effort.

CRS also provides ideas on financial amounts you can contribute to make a difference during your almsgiving.

Ask your children if they can name the three “disciplines” of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Point out that almsgiving (alms refers to money, food, or other goods donated to charity) is one of the ways that individuals strive to share abundance with those less fortunate than ourselves.

My oldest came home today with a website to earn free rice for the poor. Freerice.com  You play educational games about the countries you will help- she loved it and so did I…get your answers correct, fill your rice bowl- they donate!

“For I was hungry…whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”