The Operation Rice Bowl kick off will be held Thursday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. at the St. Gabriel Food Cupboard in South Philadelphia. Auxiliary Bishop John McIntyre will offer the blessing.

This is the 40th anniversary of Catholic Relief Service’s Operation Rice Bowl, which is a Lenten faith-in-action program for families and faith communities.

St. Gabriel’s is located at 29th and Dickinson Streets in Philadelphia.