Hello Parishes, Schools, Religious Education Programs and individuals who have participated in Rice Bowl 2024!

Thank you for participating in CRS Rice Bowl this Lent! What started as a way for Catholics in the United States to respond to the famine in Africa in 1976 has evolved into a Lenten tradition bringing us closer together as one Church and one human family.

This year, our diocese has seen an increase in parish and program participation in this outstanding Lenten program. It is now time to collect the alms-giving portion of the Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving and Learning Rice Bowl experience. This money is for our sisters and brothers experiencing poverty and hunger both here in our local diocese and around the world.

Seventy-five percent of the alms given through CRS Rice Bowl will go to Catholic Relief Services to support humanitarian aid projects that bring vital hope and lifesaving aid to millions of people in more than 100 countries. For instance, did you know that CRS has people on the ground in places such as Gaza, Ukraine, and Haiti at this time of great suffering and need in all those places?

Twenty-five percent of CRS Rice Bowl donations will stay here in our diocese to help those suffering from poverty and hunger in our own community. Our newly developed grant program for local groups to share in the 25% is up and running.

Donations can be dropped off at your parish office or put in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Rice Bowl Donations” and dropped into the collection basket at your parish. Please drop off the funds any time from now through May, 2024.

Thank you for making Lenten sacrifices that will lift up our sisters and brothers living in poverty! Together, we can respond to Christ’s call to care for those in need and ensure everyone, near and far, has enough nutritious food to thrive.

More Information and Questions

If you have any questions, please contact Rita Sloan, Diocesan Director for Catholic Relief Services and Coordinator for the Life, Peace & Justice Commission at rwrksloan@hotmail.com or call (775) 849-1653,