“During Lent, we’re invited to deepen our relationship and unite our hearts more fully with God and with one another. We can do this in an intentional way through the Catholic tradition of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. CRS Rice Bowl—Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten faith-in-action program—invites us to encounter God and our global family by practicing these Lenten pillars and by reflecting on how the Eucharist—the Bread of Life—compels us to share bread for life with all members of our human family,” said Bishop Gregory Parkes.

Alms gathered through CRS Rice Bowl primarily go toward hunger and poverty alleviation programs in countries where CRS operates, however 25% of those funds stay in the diocese where they are collected. CRS Rice Bowl grants are given to local organizations that prioritize ending hunger and poverty in their communities.

“Love can be expressed in so many ways,” said Beth Martin, CRS’ director of Formation and Mobilization. “Even through a small act such as giving up your daily cup of coffee and instead, donating that money to CRS Rice Bowl. That small sacrifice – that small act of love – can change the lives of so many people.”

In previous years, schools and parishes participating in CRS Rice Bowl have held in-person events to collect donations saved during Lent. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many parishes have developed online community giving pages to accept alms. CRS Rice Bowl participants are encouraged to reach out to their local parishes to determine whether in-person collections will occur or if they should donate via an online community giving page.

As always, direct donations to CRS are accepted online, by phone or mail.

Online:

English: crsricebowl.org/give
Spanish: crsplatodearroz.org/donar

By Phone:

Call 877-435-7277 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. (EST) and tell the operator that the gift is for CRS Rice Bowl.

By Mail:

Please write “CRS Rice Bowl” on the memo line of your check and mail it to: Catholic Relief Services
Attn: CRS Rice Bowl
P.O. Box 5200
Harlan, IA 51593-0700

CRS Rice Bowls can be ordered in quantities of 25 at crsricebowl.org/order. Materials designed for families, parishes, elementary and middle school students, high school students, universities and dioceses are also available.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, visit crs.org or www.crsespanol.org