CRS Rice Bowl is a staple on the table of Catholic families across the country during Lent. This simple cardboard box is a tool for collecting Lenten alms—and comes with a Lenten Calendar that guides families through the 40 days of Lent with activities, reflections and stories.
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. Through CRS Rice Bowl, faith communities in dioceses throughout the United States put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Lenten alms donated through CRS Rice Bowl support the work of CRS in more than 100 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 nearly $300 million.
CRS Rice Bowl shares stories of hope from CRS’ work around the world. These stories are examples of how your Lenten alms are helping communities find solutions to problems like hunger and malnutrition. Take a virtual journey with us to Guatemala, Bangladesh and Rwanda! Don’t forget to try the meatless recipes each Friday during Lent.
Lenten Virtual Events
This Lent, include Catholic Relief Services’ national virtual events in your CRS Rice Bowl experience. Learn more about the lifesaving work carried out around the world by CRS, our partners and the communities we serve—supported by the generosity of your Lenten offerings. Learn more here.
Rice Bowl in the Diocese of Raleigh
Bishop Zarama named to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Board of Directors
Bishop Luis Rafael is encouraging each family to join together to build a more just and fraternal world through Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl. Remember, 25% of the collection goes to Raleigh Catholic Charities to alleviate the effects of poverty and respond to disasters in North Carolina.
“Lent is a time of repentance and of uniting ourselves to Christ during his 40 days in the desert. In Lent we reflect on hope and consider how we can prepare ourselves to make more room in our own hearts for Christ and for others so that we can be transformed by Jesus, who heals us and gives us peace,” said Bishop Luis in his letter. “During this sacred season, CRS Rice Bowl—Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten faith-in-action program—invites us to reflect on how caring for our neighbor is caring for Christ. For I was hungry, and you gave me food; thirsty, and you gave me drink.” (Matthew 25:35)
Bishop Zarama asks families to order a free CRS Rice Bowl and Lenten calendar that are available in English and Spanish. Additional resources to enrich the Lenten journey can be found at crsricebowl.org or crsplatodearroz.org.