Carroll, Lauren /CRS
About CRS Rice Bowl
The Mission of CRS Rice Bowl
CRS Rice Bowl is the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.
Inspired by the spirit of the International Eucharistic Congress and rooted in the Gospel call to love our neighbors, CRS Rice Bowl invites Catholics in the United States to encounter God and our global family throughout Lent. Through the pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, participants deepen their faith, practice solidarity and respond to the needs of people experiencing hunger and poverty around the world.
Gifts collected through CRS Rice Bowl support the lifesaving and long-term development work of CRS in more than 90 countries. Twenty-five percent of donations remain in local dioceses to support hunger and poverty alleviation efforts. Since 1975, CRS Rice Bowl participants have contributed more than $360 million, helping families build healthier, more secure futures.
The History of CRS Rice Bowl
CRS Rice Bowl began during Lent 1975 in the Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, as an ecumenical response to hunger in the world, especially the drought in the Sahel region of Africa. Monsignor Robert Coll coordinated the effort with leaders from 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, bishops in the United States voted to declare it the official program of Catholic Relief Services.
A Lenten Tradition for Families
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 practice almsgiving through 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 and distribute them to families each Lent. Through daily reflections, stories and activities, families are invited to practice prayer, fasting and almsgiving while growing in solidarity with our global family. Families can participate with the traditional CRS Rice Bowl and Lenten calendar or access digital resources our Families page.
Frequently Asked Questions
CRS Rice Bowl helps Catholics pray, fast and give alms during Lent while encountering Christ in our global family. Through daily reflections, stories, recipes and almsgiving, families grow in faith and solidarity with people experiencing hunger and poverty around the world.
Lenten alms help alleviate hunger and poverty in communities around the world and in the United States. Seventy-five percent of gifts support CRS’ international humanitarian programs. Some examples include:
- Agriculture projects to help farmers improve harvests.
- Water and sanitation projects that bring clean water to communities.
- Microfinance projects to support small businesses.
- Mother and child health projects that offer health and nutrition services.
- Education projects that provide resources and training.
The other 25% of gifts remain in local dioceses in the United States to support hunger and poverty alleviation efforts in their communities. Each diocese uses these funds differently.
Many dioceses, parishes and schools order Rice Bowls and Lenten calendars for their communities. Check with your parish or school to find out when Rice Bowls will be distributed.
Even if your parish or school is not participating—or you are not associated with one—you can still join CRS Rice Bowl online. Visit our families page to download helpful resources, including a do-it-yourself label and calendar.
You can turn in your Lenten gifts online or send a check to:
Catholic Relief Services
CRS Rice Bowl
P.O. Box 5278
Tipton, IA 52772-0517
You can also check with your parish or school to learn how your community is collecting donations and when to return your Rice Bowl.
Since CRS Rice Bowl began, participants have given more than $360 million to support Catholic Relief Services programs that help address hunger and poverty around the world.
Each year, your donations help support the work of CRS in more than 90 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.
For additional resources for families, dioceses, educators, parish leaders and young people, visit crsricebowl.org and crsplatodearroz.org.
Most materials are available in English and Spanish.
More than 11,000 Catholic parishes and schools across the United States participate in CRS Rice Bowl.
Hunger is the physical pain of not having enough food to eat. Food insecurity means not having regular access to enough nutritious food to grow, thrive 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 people experiencing poverty, hunger and other hardships in more than 90 countries on the basis of need and without regard to race, religion or nationality.
CRS is efficient and effective. In 2025, 92% of our expenditures went to CRS programming that benefits people in need around the world. Our programs touch more than 200 million lives.
Need more information?
Email us at [email protected].
Change Lives this Lent
When you give to CRS Rice Bowl, you help families around the world overcome hunger and poverty. Thank you for spreading hope and changing lives this Lent.