The three pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Almsgiving is often the most neglected part of Lent, so that’s why this almsgiving box made it to post number 2 out of 40. “Prayer and fasting are good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied by righteousness … It is better to give alms than to store up gold; for almsgiving saves one from death and expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall enjoy a full life” (Tob 12:8-9)
I love the CRS Rice Bowl. They even have a cardboard rice bowl box they’ll send you so you can collect change to donate, but you had to request it about two months ago. The only problem was I was still thinking about Christmas back then. So… I made my own little printable almsgiving box. This one isn’t labeled with any specific organization, so you can donate to the charity of your choice. Write your own charity in the white space at the top. If you are teaching little ones about giving, have each choose a different charity to donate to, and make it a little competition… who can collect the most money for their charity?
The printable has the box both in black and white or color so you can choose how much ink to use on this project! 🙂
Download the Printable Almsgiving Box
Assembly is only slightly more difficult than the dice yesterday. Print on cardstock. Cut out. For the little holes on the top sides (where the handle tabs insert), I just used a hole puncher and punched holes over the black oval. To go the extra mile, use your scissors or an exacto knife to carefully cut out the oval.
Fold and secure the bottom tabs and the side tab using glue stick, tape or glue dots (my fav). I actually recommend tape for the bottom of this one for strength, especially if you think you’ll be collecting a lot of coins.
Slide the tabs into the oval-ish holes and ta-da, you have a little Almsgiving box with handles for easy carrying to wherever you plan to donate. The top even has a little open slit perfect for your coins to slide into.
I put a few quotes on the back, so you can use it as a teaching aid too! One from the Catechism “Giving alms to the poor is a witness to fraternal charity; it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.” CCC 2462 and from Matthew 25:45 ” As you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.”
And don’t forget, almsgiving doesn’t end with just collecting money. There are so many ways to give of ourselves to others in need. One last idea for this box, is to write down each time you help someone on a slip of paper and put it in the box. Hopefully by Easter, you’ll have a full box of ways your children have helped one another or you!
Remember when we give to the hungry, thirsty or the poor, we are giving to Jesus. Don’t neglect almsgiving this Lent!
Thanks for visiting!
