CRS renews Rice Bowl campaign as part of worldwide effort to end hunger

Catholic Relief Services’ popular Lenten Rice Bowl campaign is getting a new name and a new look.

Now called CRS Rice Bowl, the program will encourage greater connection between Americans and millions of people around the world struggling to overcome hunger.

CRS President Carolyn Woo also pledged $150 million from the agency during the next three years toward food, nutrition and agriculture programs. The pledge is part of a $1 billion effort by members of InterAction, an alliance of U.S.-based international humanitarian organizations.

“It is not enough just to commit funds. We must also strive for new solutions to also address hunger,” Woo said in introducing the revamped program in an online news conference Oct. 16 marking World Food Day.

“Through prayer, sacrifice and donations, the CRS Rice Bowl enables our actions to make a difference in the lives and well-being of others,” she said.

The program also focuses on a new message: “For Lent, for Life: What you give up for Lent changes lives.”

The agency is planning to develop a series of online, multimedia and social media resources to supplement the tradition of collecting funds in a card board “rice bowl” placed on family tables and in classrooms nationwide for 37 years. Materials will be accessible via computers, tablet computers and cellphones.

For Lent 2013, the program will look at CRS efforts in Burkina Faso, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Lesotho and Pakistan.

“The lack of food is a threat to all aspects of society. A lack of food will hurt society at its core,” Woo said.

“It is important to remember that CRS Rice Bowl is about living our faith and doing our part to alleviate hunger both in the United States and overseas,” she added. [More]

SOURCE

Catholic News Service