About 200 families in Ende archdiocese have donated almost nine tons of rice to families, widows and others in need on Flores Island during the holiday season.

“We work with parish priests and Protestant pastors to help the distribution. We believe that parish priests will really hand it down to widows, orphans and the disabled,” said Yansen Budiman, who led the collection of donated rice.

Budiman said families have provided donations of rice for about a decade, with local business owners asked to provide up to 10 sacks for distribution to the poor.

“This is our call to share the yoke of our brothers and sisters who are in need,” Budiman said.

Father Ambrosius Nanga, parish priest of St Mary Church in Wolonio, said some of the rice was distributed before Christmas and that more was to be delivered through the new year.