Operation Rice Bowl, a Global Lenten Tradition, Began in Allentown Parish

The simple idea started more than 50 years ago at St. Thomas More Church and has since raised over $350 million to help communities in need.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:19am

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A worldwide Lenten tradition that encourages Catholics to turn spare change into charitable giving began more than 50 years ago with a simple idea inside the rectory of St. Thomas More Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The concept, created in 1974, invited parishioners to 'give up a meal' during Lent and place the money they would have spent into a white bowl. Today, the program, known as Operation Rice Bowl, has expanded to over 12,000 parishes across the United States and has raised more than $350 million to help communities lacking basic necessities such as food and water.

Why it matters

Operation Rice Bowl represents a grassroots effort by a local parish to respond to global issues of hunger and poverty. The program's longevity and growth over the past five decades demonstrate the power of community-driven initiatives to make a meaningful impact, even on an international scale.

The details

The Operation Rice Bowl program was originally created by St. Thomas More Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1974. The parish partnered with a neighboring Presbyterian church to respond to famine in Africa, inviting parishioners to 'give up a meal' during Lent and place the money they would have spent into a white bowl. The donations were then collected at the end of Lent and distributed through the Rice Bowl organization to support communities in need around the world.

  • Operation Rice Bowl was created in 1974 at St. Thomas More Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
  • For over 50 years, the program has continued as a Lenten tradition.

The players

St. Thomas More Church

The Allentown, Pennsylvania parish where Operation Rice Bowl was created in 1974.

Msgr. Andrew Baker

A parish representative who discussed the origins and growth of Operation Rice Bowl.

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What they’re saying

“Money that they would have used for that meal and put it into a rice bowl... then that money would go out to, various foreign entities.”

— Msgr. Andrew Baker (6abc.com)

What’s next

The Operation Rice Bowl program continues to expand, with over 12,000 parishes across the United States now participating. The funds raised each Lent support local parishes as well as communities around the world.

The takeaway

Operation Rice Bowl demonstrates how a simple idea from a local parish can grow into a global Lenten tradition that has raised over $350 million to help those in need. The program's longevity and widespread adoption highlight the power of community-driven initiatives to make a meaningful impact, even on an international scale.