Reverend Larry Silva, Bishop | Diocese of Honolulu

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the annual CRS Rice Bowl, a Lenten program organized by Catholic Relief Services (CRS). This initiative is the official relief and development effort of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The program began during preparations for the 1975 World Eucharistic Congress in the United States. At that time, Catholics in Pennsylvania prayed, fasted, and gave alms to aid those suffering from famine in Africa's Sahel region. This marked the inception of what would become a nationwide tradition in U.S. Catholic parishes and schools.

Over the past 50 years, generations of Catholics across America have participated each Lent with a shared goal: to combat global hunger. CRS Rice Bowl has provided Stories of Hope about people worldwide who engage in activities breaking the cycle of hunger and fostering health and resilience.

One such story is that of Hongkham in Laos. A decade ago, CRS encountered Hongkham while she volunteered as a cook at her children's school, which offered free lunches to students. Her family received monthly food rations through a CRS program after her husband became seriously ill, forcing them to sell their farm. Over eight years, Hongkham emerged as a community mentor, sharing knowledge and creating a network of cooks ensuring children always had warm meals. Four of her six sons benefited from these school meals and are noticeably taller now. Her husband's health improved, allowing him to work as a carpenter alongside two of their sons.

Today’s world faces an unprecedented food crisis exacerbated by COVID-19, conflicts, climate change, and rising food costs. Millions lack access to necessary nutrition for healthy living—a critical issue for children needing proper growth nutrients. Throughout Lent's 40 days, CRS Rice Bowl will connect people across U.S. dioceses with families in Nigeria, Guatemala, and Bangladesh facing food insecurity.

"In this holy season of Lent," says CRS, "we will share these inspiring Stories of HOPE." They urge participation as one human family through prayer and support found at “www.crsricebowl.org.”