Home » Our Faith in Action » Responding to the World » ELCA World Hunger » Resources » For Congregations » Lent » Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Lenten Meal Series

Spotlight on Costa Rica

Population: 4,659,000 (2010)
Literacy rate: 96%
Urban population: 64% of total population (2010)

Printable Table Tent

Download and print this table tent, designed for the Costa Rica meal. This table tent includes conversation starters and information about your gifts to ELCA World Hunger in action.

Placemats

Download, print and use different placemats during your Lenten meals to raise awareness about hunger, poverty and related issues.

Table Prayer

Bless us, O Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Prayer from www.ourcatholicprayers.com/mealtime-prayers)

Story: Flor
Most people in El Jardin, Costa Rica, work in the banana and pineapple plantations that surround the village. But not Flor. Thanks to ELCA World Hunger, Flor and her neighbors learn about soil fertility, crop rotation and plants. They’re growing vegetables to eat and also plants that can be turned into products like shampoo and insect repellent.
Read the full story.

Download this story as a bulletin insert

Local Recipes

Popular foods in Costa Rica include arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), bean stuffed bell peppers and olla de carne (Costa Rican beef stew). Try these dishes and experience a taste of Costa Rica.

Skip the Coffee. Feed the Hungry.

Many are familiar with the tradition of giving something up during Lent. Last year, Pastor Steve Biegner of Zion Lutheran Church in Clarence Center, N.Y., decided to add something to his Lenten tradition. For 40 days, he stopped drinking coffee. And in its place, he gave whatever money he normally spent to support ELCA World Hunger.

“What does giving up coffee have to do with my relationship with God?” Pastor Steve asked. “Nothing. But focusing on the problem of hunger does. It helps ‘enlighten my eye’ to the ongoing problem.”

He placed a large, empty pickle jar outside the sanctuary of his church and asked others to join him. Each day, members of the congregation would sacrifice their favorite morning beverage and save the money they would have spent. By Easter Sunday, the pickle jar was full of donations to help end hunger and poverty.