The Archdiocese of Philadelphia kicked off its participation in the 50th annual Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) Rice Bowl initiative Feb. 21 at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center in Center City, Philadelphia. The nationwide Lenten program provides people of all ages with a way to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
This year, Rice Bowl will officially begin on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and conclude on Holy Saturday, April 19.
Auxiliary Bishop John McIntyre presided over the blessing of the cardboard Rice Bowl containers. He was joined by Anne Ayella, CRS Diocesan Director, and Lizanne Hagedorn, Executive Director of Nutritional Development Services (NDS).
SEE MORE >>> Archdiocese of Philadelphia Kicks Off 50th Annual Rice Bowl
“Now in its 50th year, Rice Bowl still inspires and encourages US Catholics to pray, fast, learn and give in response to those who are hungry both locally and globally,” said Ayella. “May we commit to making a real difference in the lives of others as Jesus challenges us to do.”
Jackie DiPasquale, Director of Food Cupboard Operations for the Patrician Society, was also in attendance and offered remarks. The Patrician Society is a food cupboard supported by NDS and an agency that strives to effectively meet the basic needs of economically disadvantaged adults, children, and families in the surrounding community.
“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,” said DiPasquale.
She noted that due to the generosity of Rice Bowl and NDS’ monthly food deliveries, the Patrician Society was able to provide groceries to 2,200 families and 6,948 individuals in 2024.
In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, over $341,000 was raised through Rice Bowl in 2024. Approximately seventy-five percent of those funds supported CRS’ humanitarian response and development programs in nearly 100 countries where it operates internationally. The remaining twenty-five percent of the funds went to NDS to support hunger and poverty alleviation efforts through its network of 50 food cupboards throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.
“For 49 years, the Archdiocesan Community Food Program has been able to supply local food cupboards and outreach programs with locally purchased food through the CRS Rice Bowl Lenten Program,” said Hagedorn. “Many individuals and families right here in our area who have faced food insecurity and uncertainty have been helped through the generosity of the faithful of the Archdiocese. Together small actions do make a difference.”
For more information and resources on this year’s CRS Rice Bowl initiative, visit here.
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