The Mission of CRS Rice Bowl
CRS Rice Bowl is the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, the official relief and development agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Rooted in the history of the Eucharistic Congress, CRS Rice Bowl invites Catholics and faith communities in the United States to encounter God and our global family throughout Lent by practicing the pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Lenten alms donated through CRS Rice Bowl support the work of CRS in more than 120 different countries each year. Twenty-five percent of donations to CRS Rice Bowl stay in the local diocese, supporting hunger and poverty alleviation efforts. Since its inception in 1975, CRS Rice Bowl has raised more than $350 million.
The History of CRS Rice Bowl
CRS Rice Bowl began during Lent 1975 in the diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, as an ecumenical response to the problem of world hunger, specifically the drought in the Sahel region of Africa. Msgr. Robert Coll coordinated the effort with leaders of Allentown’s Protestant and Jewish communities.
CRS Rice Bowl was adopted as a national program in 1976, under the auspices of Catholic Relief Services in preparation for the 41st International Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nearly $5 million was raised that year. In 1977, it was voted by Bishops in United States to be the official program of Catholic Relief Services.
What is a CRS Rice Bowl?
A rice bowl is a simple cardboard box used to collect Lenten alms. It comes with a Lenten calendar that guides families throughout the 40 days of Lent with activities, reflections, stories and opportunities to put alms in their rice bowl. Combined, the rice bowl and calendar are a staple on the table of Catholic families across the country each Lent.
Parishes, dioceses and Catholic Schools across the United States order materials to hand out to families ahead of each Lent. Families can also join if they didn’t receive a rice bowl from their parish or school by downloading a free DIY label and Lenten calendar on the Families Resource page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lenten alms go to alleviate hunger and poverty in communities around the world and in the U.S. Seventy-five percent of gifts support CRS’ international humanitarian programs. Some examples include:
The other 25% of gifts remain in each U.S. diocese where they are given to hunger and poverty alleviation efforts in those communities. Each diocese uses this differently.
Dioceses, parishes and schools around the country order rice bowls and Lenten calendars for their communities. Check with your parish or school to find out when rice bowls will be distributed.
Individuals who are not associated with a Catholic parish or school can visit our CRS Rice Bowl families page to download helpful resources, including a DIY label and calendar.
Check with your parish or school about how your community will be collecting donations and return your Rice Bowl on the designated collection date.
Lenten gifts can also be given online or simply by sending a check to:
Catholic Relief Services
CRS Rice Bowl
P.O. Box 5200
Harlan, IA 51593-0700
Twenty-five percent of gifts given directly to CRS will be returned to the local diocese where they originated.
Since its inception, more than $350 million has been given through CRS Rice Bowl to support programs that prevent hunger and poverty around the world.
Each year, your donations help support the work of CRS in more than 120 countries around the world.
Bilingual posters and rice bowls can be found and ordered at crsricebowl.org/order. Other key resources are the daily reflections, Stories of Hope and meatless recipes from the countries featured each Lent.
Additional resources for families, dioceses, educators, parish leaders and young people can be found on crsricebowl.org and crsplatodearroz.org.
Most materials are available in English and Spanish.
Nearly 12,000 Catholic parishes and schools across the U.S. participate in CRS Rice Bowl.
Hunger is a physical feeling when you don’t have enough food to eat. Whereas food insecurity is when you don’t have regular access to nutritious food to grow and live a healthy life.
An estimated 713-757 million people may have faced hunger in 2023, which is about 152 million more people than in 2019.
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.
CRS is motivated by the example of Jesus Christ to assist poor and suffering people in more than 120 countries on the basis of need, not creed, race or nationality.
CRS is efficient and effective. In 2023, 94% of our expenditures went to CRS programming that benefits people experiencing poverty around the world. CRS’ programs touch more than 210 million people.
Need more information?
Email us at crsricebowl@crs.org.
