The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has initiated the 50th annual Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowl campaign. The program, which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and concludes on Holy Saturday, April 19, is a nationwide Lenten initiative encouraging participants to engage in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Most Reverend John J. McIntyre, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, led the blessing ceremony for the cardboard Rice Bowl containers at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center. During the event, remarks were delivered by Ms. Anne H. Ayella, CRS Diocesan Director; Ms. Lizanne Hagedorn, Executive Director of Nutritional Development Services (NDS); and Ms. Jackie DiPasquale, Director of Food Cupboard Operations for the Patrician Society.

Ms. Ayella highlighted the significance of this milestone year: “What an exciting year for CRS Rice Bowl! Now in its 50th year, Rice Bowl still inspires and encourages U.S. Catholics to pray, fast, learn, and give in response to those who are hungry both locally and globally."

In 2024, over $341,958 was raised through Rice Bowl by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Seventy-five percent of these funds supported CRS’ programs in nearly 100 countries. The remaining twenty-five percent was allocated to Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese to aid hunger alleviation efforts across Greater Philadelphia.

Ms. DiPasquale emphasized the impact of these efforts: “The increase in prices for basic needs such as food and housing has put a tremendous burden on everyone... Thanks to the generosity of Rice Bowl and Nutritional Development Services’ monthly food deliveries, we were able to continually provide groceries to 2,200 families and 6,948 individuals in 2024.”

For more information about CRS Rice Bowl resources visit https://archphila.org/crsricebowl/.

Catholic Relief Services is dedicated to improving lives through humanitarian programs worldwide. Further details can be found at http://www.crsricebowl.org/.