The annual Lenten Rice Bowl collection coordinated by Churches Together in Rome, the umbrella organisation for English-speaking churches in the city, is for the parish of the Blessed Guillermo Chaminade in Bogot, Colombia. Money will go towards the outreach project in which 600 people, especially children and the elderly, are being provided with daily meals and basic medical care. The parish has also established a kindergarten for the children of working parents, and a centre for teaching trades to young people who are unemployed.

Churches Together in Rome is suggesting people give up one meal per week (and eat less at other times) during the season of Lent and donate the money saved to Rice Bowl. There are no administration costs for the fundraising and every euro will go directly to the parish in Bogot.

Donations can be deposited in the offering box marked Project Rice Bowl 2005 at the entrance to the English-speaking churches in Rome. See Useful numbers page 2 for the churches.