As the world continues to grapple with the effects of COVID-19, including an increased number of those going hungry, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is asking Catholics to remember Matthew 25:40 as CRS Rice Bowl begins.
As the gospel tells us, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This verse calls on Catholics to reach out and help those most in need.
“During the Lenten season so many Catholics around the world choose to make a sacrifice,” said Beth Martin, CRS’ director of campaign action and content. “Using CRS’ Rice Bowl materials, Catholics here in the United States have the ability to turn that sacrifice into a gift.
By giving something up, like that daily cup of coffee, and putting that money into the Rice Bowl donation box, Catholics can go a step above and beyond and look out for the least of our sisters and brothers.”
CRS Rice Bowl, the Lenten program that began in 1975, will begin on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17. Each year, families from more than 14,000 communities across the country use nearly 4 million rice bowls for almsgiving, which they turn in at the end of Lent. These donations make a difference overseas and here in the United States, with 75 percent going to CRS programming in targeted countries and the remaining 25 percent staying in the Diocese of Charlotte. AS COVID-19 increases unemployment and hunger worldwide, those donations are lifesaving for communities overseas and here at home.
In response to the increase of world hunger caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, CRS is working with partners to provide emergency food rations in more than 30 countries as well promoting COVID-19 prevention and awareness.
“The donations from CRS Rice Bowl allow families everywhere to overcome the hurdles placed in front of them,” Martin said. “And in the past year, there have been a lot. COVID-19 is increasing global hunger and malnutrition, and several natural disasters have left thousands without a home or without crops to feed their families and communities. Everyone everywhere has struggled.”
Each year, CRS Rice Bowl highlights communities from different countries around the world. This year, Rice Bowl participants are introduced to the people of Madagascar, El Salvador and Timor-Leste and how they are working hard to overcome the factors that can lead to hunger, including drought and flooding.
“The people of Madagascar, El Salvador and Timor-Leste are resourceful,” said Martin. “They use all of the tools available to them to fight against hunger and provide for themselves and their families. The donations from CRS Rice Bowl add to that toolbox. What Catholics give up for Lent can change lives.”
Resources available online
At www.crsricebowl.org: Catholic Relief Services has a lot of resources for you and your family this Lenten season. Besides the rice bowl kit that you can download online, find video “Stories of Hope” from people who have been aided by CRS, and meatless recipes from the countries featured by CRS this Lent. All materials are available in English and Spanish.
How to give and mini-grants information
If your parish or school participates in the CRS Rice Bowl campaign, giving guidelines are provided. You can also give directly to CRS Rice Bowl securely online at www.crsricebowl.org; by phone at 1-877-435-7277; or by mail to CRS Rice Bowl, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21297-0303.
Find info on CRS Rice Bowl $1,000 Mini Grants at www.ccdoc.org/cchdcrs.
Timor-Leste: Squash, Bean and Corn Stew 
(Batar Da’An)
1 large onion, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp. fair trade olive oil
3 cups water
1 butternut squash, cut into small pieces
1 10-oz. bag frozen corn
1 15-oz. can red kidney beans, drained
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups cooked rice
Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until tender. Add water and squash, and increase heat until water is simmering. Add corn and kidney beans, reduce to medium heat, and cook stirring occasionally for 15-20 minutes until squash is tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with rice.
Makes 4 servings.
Madagascar: Greens with Rice
(Vary Amin’Anana)
2 tbsp. fair trade olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 medium tomato, diced
1 clove garlic
1 tsp. fresh ginger, minced
3 cups packed collard greens or kale
1 cups rice
2 cups water
Salt and pepper to taste
Heat oil in medium-sized pot. Add onion, tomato, garlic and ginger, and sauté until just tender. Add collard greens or kale, and stir 1 minute. Add rice, water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook on medium heat for 25 minutes or until water is absorbed.
Makes 4-5 servings.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Find more meatless recipes and the stories behind their cultures online at www.crsricebowl.org.
Pictured above: Paulino da Costa Ximenes, 53, pictured in Libagua village, Timor-Leste, with his wife Eliza da Costa Martins and their seven children: Leila da Costa Magno, 12, Sandra Salleta da Costa Magno, 7, Celcio da Costa Magno, 5, Celcia da Costa Magno, 3, Laurenfina da Costa Magno, 2, Luciano da Costa Magno, 2, and Cidalria da Costa Magno, 1. Eliza has been part of the CRS TOMAK nutrition project for over two years. Timor-Leste has the highest rate of child malnutrition in Asia with almost half of children under 5 stunted. Widespread poor growth is attributed to limited availability of nutritional foods and high child illness. In Timor-Leste, subsistence agriculture is the main livelihood strategy for most of the rural population. The country is food insecure, so household nutritional security is difficult to achieve. (Photo by Anny Djahova | Catholic Relief Services)