Friday, February 5, 2010

ARCHDIOCESE — With Operation Rice Bowl, Catholic Relief Services’ annual Lenten program, set to begin on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, the archdiocesan Catholic Social Action Office has once again teamed with CRS to offer challenge grants to area parishes and schools.

 
Operation Rice Bowl contributions support projects that assist the poor both overseas and in the United States. Seventy-five percent of Operation Rice Bowl contributions are sent to CRS to develop projects overseas that help increase and maintain communities’ access to food. Twenty-five percent of the contributions remain in U.S. dioceses and are used to fund poverty and hunger alleviation programs.
 
Parishes and schools are eligible to apply for one of two grants for up to $500 for social justice ministry in their faith community after completing the 2010 Operation Rice Bowl program. A grant for up to $500 will be awarded for “best new participating parish or school,” and a second grant for “most improved participant,” according to Pam Long, regional director of the Catholic Social Action Office. The 2009 winners were St. Martin of Tours, St. Mary in Hyde Park and St. Monica-St. George.
 
For more information, contact the Catholic Social Action Office at 937-224-3026 or [email protected], or visit http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/socialaction.