Catholic Relief Services (CRS) provides direct aid to the poor and involves people in their own development, helping them to realize their potential. CRS educates the people of the United States to fulfill their moral responsibilities toward our brothers and sisters around the world by helping the poor, working to remove the causes of poverty and promoting social justice.

 

CRS Rice Bowl Campaign

CRS Rice Bowl is Catholic Relief Services' Lenten solidarity program that brings Lent to life! The program is used by millions of Catholics throughout the United States, in more than 15,000 parishes, schools, and faith communities. Through CRS Rice Bowl, we reach out to assist our brothers and sisters around the world through traditional Lenten practices, while we learn about the global issues affecting our neighbors overseas, as well as here in the United States.

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Time Tables for Participation

•Participating schools and parishes should order their supplies on line by the end of September or early October for next Lent.

•Supplies are usually shipped 6 to 8 weeks prior to Lent.

•Distribution of supplies to participants is ordinarily conducted one to two weeks prior to Lent. A blessing for Rice Bowls is included in the Coordinator's Guide.

•The CRS Rice Bowl program officially begins on Ash Wednesday.

•CRS Rice Bowl concludes on Easter Sunday.

•Donations from participants should be collected by parishes/schools no later than June 30. Ask participants to make checks payable to your parish or school.

•A single check and report form from the parish/school should be sent to the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph by July 30. Report forms are updated annually and posted as a resource.

 

How is the money used?

Lenten alms go to alleviate hunger and poverty in communities overseas and in the U.S.: seventy-five percent of gifts support CRS’ humanitarian programs around the world, including in the countries featured in the Lenten calendar. Some examples include:

•Agriculture projects help farmers improve harvests

•Water and sanitation projects bring clean water to communities

•Microfinance projects support small businesses

•Mother and child health projects offer health and nutrition services

•Education projects provide resources and training

 

Twenty five percent 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. In our diocese, this allocation is included into our Life & Justice Grants. Learn more about the Life & Justice Campaign and Grant process here.

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CRS Global Programs

CRS uses a holistic approach called integral human development to help people reach their full potential in an atmosphere of peace, social justice and human dignity. This long-term, dynamic process facilitates collaboration across civil society and the public and private sectors. CRS engages people at every level—individual, family, community, regional, national and international—to promote transformative and sustainable change.

 

CRS provides direct aid to the poor and involves people in their own development, helping them to realize their potential. CRS educates the people of the United States to fulfill their moral responsibilities toward our brothers and sisters around the world by helping the poor, working to remove the causes of poverty and promoting social justice.

 

To learn about global efforts, including specific types of work and countries affected by the works of CRS, visit https://www.crs.org/our-work-overseas.