The Archdiocese of Philadelphia begins the 27th annual campaign of Operation Rice Bowl on Ash Wednesday, February 13, 2002. The 40 day Lenten program encourages parishioners to fast one day a week during Lent. Families place money that would have been spent on meals into a cardboard "rice bowl" to remember those who are poor and hungry. These rice bowls are available from most parishes. After Easter, parishioners' contributions will be donated to those in need. In addition to fasting, participants are encouraged to pray and learn about our neighbors who live in poverty around the world and here at home. The four components of Operation Rice Bowl are "pray, fast, learn and give."

Operation Rice Bowl raised eight million dollars nationally in 2001 with the participation of 14,022 parishes. Catholic Relief Services is the official overseas relief and development agency of the United States Catholic community. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia (282 parishes) raised $310,000. Seventy five percent of the funds raised in the Archdiocese, or roughly $230,000, were distributed through Catholic Relief Services in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Those funds were used to support development projects which teach farmers new techniques, bring clean water to communities and provide health and nutrition education to ensure the well being of the most vulnerable community members.

Twenty five percent of the locally raised funds, or approximately $77,000, remained within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Nutritional Development Services, a department within Catholic Social Services, used these funds to purchase food for the poor and hungry in the Philadelphia area.

Contact
Donna Farrell
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747