This year, Rice Bowl will officially begin on Ash Wednesday, February 17th, and conclude on Holy Saturday, April 3rd.
This morning, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia kicked off its 46th annual Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) Rice Bowl initiative, the nationwide Lenten program that gives people of all ages a way to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
The kickoff took place the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center with due respect for and adherence to guidelines set forth by governmental health agencies.
Most Reverend John J. McIntyre, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, presided over the blessing of Rice Bowls. Ms. Anne H. Ayella, CRS Diocesan Director; Mr. James Amato, Secretary for Catholic Human Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Ms. Lizanne Hagedorn, Executive Director of Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (NDS); and B.J. Brown, Pastoral Associate, Old St. Joseph Church (Philadelphia) whose parish’s food cupboard benefits in part from Rice Bowl contributions, were in attendance and offered brief remarks about Rice Bowl’s impact locally and globally.
Three-quarters of all contributions to Rice Bowl support CRS’ humanitarian response and development programs in nearly 100 countries where CRS operates. The remaining 25% stays within our area and benefits NDS’ hunger and poverty alleviation efforts throughout the five-county metropolitan area through its network of over 50 food cupboards and outreaches.
In 2020, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia raised $213,777.68 through Rice Bowl with seventy-five percent of the funds, or $160,333.26, supporting CRS and twenty-five percent of the funds, or $53,444.42 supporting NDS’ efforts to combat hunger and poverty.
Today’s event was streamed to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Facebook page. To view the broadcast, please visit https://www.facebook.com/142283079705/videos/434265488006703.
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Editor’s Note: Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic Community in the United States. It is dedicated to improving the lives of poor and vulnerable families through humanitarian programs and services. For more information on CRS’ Rice Bowl please visit http://www.crsricebowl.org/.
For pictures from today’s event for publication purposes, please contact the Office for Communications at [email protected]