Fifty years ago, Catholics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, organized to bring help to families facing famine in Africa. That help came in the form of a small cardboard box, marking the beginning of “Operation Rice Bowl.” Today, as we celebrate CRS Rice Bowl’s 50th anniversary, the program is a tradition for millions of Catholics in the United States who continue to answer the Gospel call, supporting families experiencing hunger around the world.
2026 Rice Bowl Grant
Your Impact
25% Supports Needs in the Diocese of Phoenix
Grants are awarded to organizations that address food insecurity and are used to meet the immediate needs of their communities.
75% Supports CRS’s Global Initiatives
These funds are used for CRS programs that support agricultural prosperity, education, and more.
Food for Education program provides over 7 million school meals a day which removes barriers for children to go to school and also addresses malnutrition.
How CRS Rice Bowl Helps End World Hunger
At this very moment, millions of our most vulnerable sisters and brothers are facing life-threatening levels of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition. At the root of this crisis is a perfect storm of poverty, climate change, conflict and inequality.
There is no one solution to breaking the cycle of hunger for every community around the world—but we can do our part through CRS Rice Bowl by answering Jesus’ invitation us to share bread for life with our sisters and brothers during Lent—so all may live with dignity.
Meatless Lenten Recipes
Journey with Catholic Relief Services around the globe through their Lenten Recipes