Beans the Musical Fruit: JPC’s Caritas Fundraising Efforts
Wednesdays at John Paul College (JPC) have taken on a new flavour during Lent, with a simple meal of rice and beans the only option at the school canteen on those days.
So, perhaps “flavour” is too strong a word to describe this simple meal, however, it certainly conveyed a message!
John Paul College in Nicholls’ canteen offers healthy, sustainable food to students and prioritises ecology, the environment and keeping waste to a minimum.
Principal Catherine Rey is committed to this model, and plastic plates and cutlery are not used in the canteen. This is something practical that the school can do in the spirit of Laudato Si’ (the Pope’s 2015 encyclical on care for our common home) and is an important way to instil a sense of justice and ecology in the student body.
As part of this commitment, fundraising for Caritas’ Project Compassion is something canteen manager Kate Parker was proud to be part of.
Each year, around 25 million tonnes of beans are produced, and rice is somewhere around the 700 million tonne mark.
As the most important source of protein, minerals and calories for some 300 million people, beans are an important food source to combat malnutrition.
1.2. billion people living below the poverty line have half of their daily food intake made up of rice.
When the price of rice tripled during the global economic crisis, the World Bank estimated that some 100 million people fell into extreme poverty.
The John Paul College Peace Leaders Albert David and Addison Atkinson have hit the ground running with their fundraising initiatives, organising a pancake breakfast, a “guess the teacher’s baby photo competition”, a “lolly jar guessing competition”, and a sale of “Zooper Doopers”. Second-hand uniforms are being sold at the Clothing Pool for $2 and all funds raised contribute to the total for Project Compassion. On Friday of this week, students will donate some money to have a crazy hair style for the day.
This week’s beans and rice fundraiser is perhaps their most ambitious target, and the awareness-raising that went along with it has made a big difference.
“I found that the students, once they understood the reason for the sustainable, simple meal were happy to get on board, even if the meal wasn’t that exciting”, said Albert.
“I think the Simpsons references helped too!!! Beans beans good for your heart, the more you eat the more you…..raise money for Caritas!!!”, said Addison
- For more information about the work of Caritas and how you can be involved here in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, contact Beth Doherty on 0432 608 310 or email Elisabeth_doherty@hotmail.com.