The Missions Mobilization Group of the SCBC has announced it is no longer distributing rice bowls for churches to use in collecting October’s annual World Hunger Offering. The SCBC will continue to provide, at no cost to churches, World Hunger Offering envelopes.

The small plastic collection banks, which resemble a bowl of white rice, were introduced in 1979 as the convention began a World Hunger Day offering. Baptist families were encouraged to use the banks on their kitchen tables as an offering collection point.

Steve Scudder, ministries director, Missions Mobilization Group, said the recent rice bowl decision was made as more churches opt to use envelopes over rice bowls at the same time total offering gifts rise each year. Since 1999 rice bowl requests, through the SCBC, have dropped by nearly 50 percent. By contrast, the use of envelopes has increased and World Hunger giving in 2003 was the fifth highest total ($708,149.67) since 1979.

Scudder said the offering envelopes are easily stored at the convention building in Columbia. Envelopes are typically mailed on the same day a church requests them. Orders for rice bowls usually take 2-6 weeks to fill, and must be filled upon order. Rice bowls are not purchased in bulk and stored at the convention building.

Churches interested in the continued use of rice bowls may order them directly from the supplier. The contact information is: Rice Bowls Inc., 204 Winding Way, Spartanburg, SC 29306. The telephone number is (800) 533-1214. The cost is 48-cents per bowl.