This year, Rice Bowl will officially begin on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and conclude on Holy Saturday, April 19.
This morning at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia kicked off the 50th annual Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) Rice Bowl initiative. Rice Bowl is a nationwide Lenten program providing people of all ages with a way to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Most Reverend John J. McIntyre, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, presided over this year’s blessing of the cardboard Rice Bowl containers.
In addition to the blessing, 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, delivered remarks. The Patrician Society is a food cupboard and agency that strives to effectively meet the basic needs of economically disadvantaged adults, children, and families in the surrounding community.
“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 this 50th Anniversary year, may we commit to making a real difference in the lives of others as Jesus challenges us to do,” said Ms. Ayella.
In 2024, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s raised over $341,958.65 through Rice Bowl. Approximately seventy-five percent of those funds, or $256,468.98, supported CRS’ humanitarian response and development programs in nearly 100 countries where it operates. The remaining twenty-five percent of the funds, or $85,489.66, went to Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia supporting hunger and poverty alleviation efforts through its network of 50 food cupboards throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.
“The increase in prices for basic needs such as food and housing has put a tremendous burden on everyone, including working families, who utilize food pantries just to make ends meet. 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,” said Ms. DiPasquale.
For additional information and resources for CRS Rice Bowl, please visit https://archphila.org/crsricebowl/.
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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].
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
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Contact:
Katie Rogers
Media and Events Specialist for Catholic Human Services
215-587-3747 (office)