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Rice and Beans Team Resources
Thank you for joining the Rice and Beans challenge to stand with those who do not have a choice in what they eat tonight. Your commitment to take action is inspiring! Here are some resources and tips for you to make your challenge and sharing successful.
The Challenge
Eat rice and beans for 6 meals. This can be 1x per week for 6 weeks, or six dinners (or lunches) in a row. You may also choose other types of simple meals. The point is to sacrifice regular comforts for the sake of others. Between all of us, we are believing for $30,000 to be raised this fall. Choose an amount to raise whether it be $500 or $5,000.
- Challenge window: October 1 – December 31, 2025. With World Homeless Day on October 9.
- Each simplified meal = $10 (per person) to donate it to Sacred Streets. So a family of 4 would free up $240 through this challenge. You can donate the funds you save to your own campaign to get it started.
- Match X2: Every dollar you raise or give will be DOUBLED up to $25K because of a matching grant. That means $20 = $40
- You can eat any simplified meal like beans and potatoes, simple soups, simple pastas, or any other cost-effective foods.
CREATE YOUR PAGE HERE
About Sharing with Your People
The way people will be able to support and donate to this cause is through you sharing it. Whether it be through email, social media, or text messaging, you can invite people to rally behind you and this cause by sharing it themselves or donating to the cause. Here’s some content, text and images you can use to share in creative ways with your community.
Post Guide:
- 6 times. Share every time you eat a simplified meal. That would be 6 times.
- Multiple Channels. Use email, facebook, instagram, or even texting.
- Choose a Deadline. Share the dates, with a deadline for your challenge. People are extremely motivated by knowing their last day to donate to you.
- Share your personal insights and what’s happening in your posture as you go along. Each post can be how you’re experiencing that day of doing the challenge.
- Share photos with captions
- Try to share a personal video at least once during your challenge.
General Campaign Link:
https://givebutter.com/riceandbeans
Your Personal Page link will be created after you launch you page. It’s best to share that one so people don’t have to search for you.
Words to Share
Helping People Understand
Pick and choose anything you would like to share from the below. you can change it to match your personal tone.
I am choosing to eat rice and beans this fall season to enter solidarity with those who have less and to raise support for their needs. I am doing this to support the mission of Sacred Streets, which frames the identity of some of the most vulnerable and marginalized people through relational portraits. These portraits give people vision for their invaluable life. I invite you to stand with me by donating to my page below and help me reach my fundraising goal.
It’s like a Walkathon, but we’re challenging the stomach instead of the legs.
I personally want to do this because ___________________________.
Our challenge activates 3 things:
- Solidarity with the disenfranchised
- Prayerful posture
- A call for generous giving
Facts, Quotes
- 3.5 Billion people around the world live on less that $7 per day. Rice and beans is a standard meal for this population.
- Sacred Streets portraits have a track record of seeing 2 of 3 people expressing true impact. 1 of 3 make a radical life turnaround.
- “It’s going to be really hard for me to love the poor the way Jesus loves the poor if there’s not a sacrificial practice by which I’m training myself.” — Tyler Staton
Pictures to Share
Some of the best pictures to share will be your own, featuring you!
Like a selfie with you and your plate for that night. Or a video of you sharing your thoughts for the night. But please use these photos however you’d like and hopefully it will take away one step in the process if you need it.
Challenge Photos For Use
Ministry Images For Use
Spiritual Guide
One moral tension that may arise is, “Isn’t sharing that I’m fasting violating Jesus’ instruction to not publicize your fasting?”
Good question! You will see in the scriptures below that fasting without action to literally help others is only half of the picture. So if you were fasting without trying to give back or call others to do the same, making it public would be questionable. But what you’re doing by publicizing it in order to give money back to the poor is the most comprehensive and beautiful ways to fast.
Scriptures
These scripture speak of a “fasting” that also actively gives back to the poor:
ISAIAH 58:6-8
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”
PSALM 12:5, 7
“For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,
Now I will arise,” says the Lord;
“I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”
You shall keep them, O Lord,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.
Podcasts
Listen to these podcasts to get your bearings for a healthy spiritual posture during this time.”
Listen to this Rule of Life podcast episode from with John Mark Comer.
The scripture says of Jesus, we have a great high priest that can empathize with our weaknesses. And so wne way that I become like Jesus is I willingly discomfort my body in a way that other people are unwillingly discomforted in their body. [Then] I can grow in empathy.” – Tyler Staton
Or here’s one on Radical Generosity for those who don’t have much to start with. Rule of Life: Generosity 04
Join the Rice and Beans Challenge
What if your only choice for dinner was a cup of rice and beans?
💥 LET’S JOIN IN SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE WHO HAVE NO CHOICE.
With every simple meal eaten this season, there can be real impact for those in need. You can either take up the challenge or donate to someone who already has. All donations will go towards the ministry of Sacred Streets to continue affirming the immeasurable value of those who have less. Our challenge activates four things:
1) Solidarity with the disenfranchised
2) Prayerful posture
3) Extra funds to give
4) A call for others to donate.
It’s like a Walkathon, but we’re challenging the stomach instead of the legs. It’s like Dressember, but we’re eating different instead of dressing different.
Through this challenge we are hopeful to raise $30,000 to support the ministry of Sacred Streets.
Watch the Video | Donate | Join the Challenge
Shroud of the Unhoused
Logan and Kristen: Enlightenment and Trust
Logan & Kristen: Enlightenment and Trust
This piece exhibits Logan’s philosophies and my perspective of humility and holiness. It was a collaborative effort with Logan and Kristen whom I met on the streets of Santa Ana. Our art-making time (and relationship) was cut short by the police who abruptly forced us to split up and vacate the area we were creating. The writings and diagrams are Logan’s work and ideas and the portraits are by my own hand.
In the tent series, I am addressing the tents and encampments that appear on sidewalks and abandoned lots as temporary shelter for those who feel it is their best option. At best we overlook these sites and at worst we complain or scoff. But what if every time we saw a tent we realized it represents a person with a story that is likely suffering and teetering toward the end of their life?
Price: $1800
Monte, 2020
Monte
Speaking about how the lack of proper mental health and the homeless crisis are one and the same. When individuals with severe mental illnesses are left untreated or maltreated, their chances of living on the streets increase drastically. The call is to compassion and understanding for those who find themselves in these circumstances.
In the tent series, I am addressing the tents and encampments that appear on sidewalks and abandoned lots as temporary shelter for those who feel it is their best option. At best we overlook these sites and at worst we complain or scoff. But what if every time we saw a tent we realized it represents a person with a story that is likely suffering and teetering toward the end of their life?
Price: $1200
Jerod: Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit
Jerod: Blessed are the Poor in spirit
I met Jerod in on the sidewalk near a rehab center in Santa Ana. He is one of most gentle and humble people I have met. He reminds me of those who are ultimately blessed because they are “poor in spirit.”
In the tent series, I am addressing the tents and encampments that appear on sidewalks and abandoned lots as temporary shelter for those who feel it is their best option. At best we overlook these sites and at worst we complain or scoff. But what if every time we saw a tent we realized it represents a person with a story that is likely suffering and teetering toward the end of their life?
Price: $1400
Monte: I See My Brother as Perfect
Monte: I See My Brother as Perfect
In the tent series, I am addressing the tents and encampments that appear on sidewalks and abandoned lots as temporary shelter for those who feel it is their best option. At best we overlook these sites and at worst we complain or scoff. But what if every time we saw a tent we realized it represents a person with a story that is likely suffering and teetering toward the end of their life?
Speaking about how the lack of proper mental health and the homeless crisis are one and the same. When individuals with severe mental illnesses are left untreated or maltreated, their chances of living on the streets increase drastically. The call is to compassion and understanding for those who find themselves in these circumstances.
Price: $1800
Andy and Ozzy: Grieving and Blessing
Andy & Ozzy: Grieving & Blessing
In the tent series, I am addressing the tents and encampments that appear on sidewalks and abandoned lots as temporary shelter for those who feel it is their best option. At best we overlook these sites and at worst we complain or scoff. But what if every time we saw a tent we realized it represents a person with a story that is likely suffering and teetering toward the end of their life?
While living in Santa Ana, I had a friendship with with a couple named Andy and Ozzy. Though those years of investment, I only witnessed their situation and health degrading. It felt like their life was on a very short timer. This piece is a grievance and a prayer for divine mercy over them.
Price: $1400
Vessel 6
Vessel 6
A few years after launching Sacred Streets, I felt it necessary to frame myself in similar gold-gilded ways I was framing the individuals I met on the streets.
I was also exploring my own spiritual convictions around sacrifice and humility. I asked myself, what can I tear down? Could a breaking release what lies within the confines of this vessel?
This was completed at the Saddleback Church Creative Church Arts Conference with Scott McElroy. The performance was with Ray Basile on Guitar, Arianna Caliguri Storytelling, and Marlita Hill performing dance.
My practice is centered around portraiture that explores the intersection of humility and holiness. It is a response to writings like St. John’s that remind us that “we are not the Light, but we are witnesses to the light.” The portraits embody and act of sacrifice through the grueling process of constructing the canvas frames, hinging the measured icon windows, and laying gold using an ancient water-gilding technique.
These pieces are also a record of performance in public spaces. After the final strokes, the portrait is slowly and painstakingly cut down the middle using a handsaw or knife, and opened infront of an audience.
The shapes of the openings reference sacred icons and altarpieces. In the culmination of the performance I step back to reveal a portrait obscured by the gold gilded interior.
After entering into marriage in year two of this project, I felt such an intertwining of identity with my spouse that I couldn’t help but bring her into the self-portraits. The humble sacrifice now involved two people in relationship. It became communal.
Price: $1800
Vessel 5
Vessel 5
A few years after launching Sacred Streets, I felt it necessary to frame myself in similar gold-gilded ways I was framing the individuals I met on the streets.
I was also exploring my own spiritual convictions around sacrifice and humility. I asked myself, what can I tear down? Could a breaking release what lies within the confines of this vessel?
This piece was created at in Palm Springs at a conference and was in collaboration with Steve Bell and my dad, Greg Leith speaking.
My practice is centered around portraiture that explores the intersection of humility and holiness. It is a response to writings like St. John’s that remind us that “we are not the Light, but we are witnesses to the light.” The portraits embody and act of sacrifice through the grueling process of constructing the canvas frames, hinging the measured icon windows, and laying gold using an ancient water-gilding technique.
These pieces are also a record of performance in public spaces. After the final strokes, the portrait is slowly and painstakingly cut down the middle using a handsaw or knife, and opened infront of an audience.
The shapes of the openings reference sacred icons and altarpieces. In the culmination of the performance I step back to reveal a portrait obscured by the gold gilded interior.
After entering into marriage in year two of this project, I felt such an intertwining of identity with my spouse that I couldn’t help but bring her into the self-portraits. The humble sacrifice now involved two people in relationship. It became communal.
Price: $1800
Vessel 4
Vessel 4
A few years after launching Sacred Streets, I felt it necessary to frame myself in similar gold-gilded ways I was framing the individuals I met on the streets.
I was also exploring my own spiritual convictions around sacrifice and humility. I asked myself, what can I tear down? Could a breaking release what lies within the confines of this vessel?
This piece was created in Altea, SPAIN in performance with Arianna Caligiuri, Marlita Hill, and Ray Basile.
My practice is centered around portraiture that explores the intersection of humility and holiness. It is a response to writings like St. John’s that remind us that “we are not the Light, but we are witnesses to the light.” The portraits embody and act of sacrifice through the grueling process of constructing the canvas frames, hinging the measured icon windows, and laying gold using an ancient water-gilding technique.
These pieces are also a record of performance in public spaces. After the final strokes, the portrait is slowly and painstakingly cut down the middle using a handsaw or knife, and opened infront of an audience.
The shapes of the openings reference sacred icons and altarpieces. In the culmination of the performance I step back to reveal a portrait obscured by the gold gilded interior.
After entering into marriage in year two of this project, I felt such an intertwining of identity with my spouse that I couldn’t help but bring her into the self-portraits. The humble sacrifice now involved two people in relationship. It became communal.
Price: $1800
