At the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center the Archdiocese of Philadelphia kicked off the 49th 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.
In 2023, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s collection was up nearly 14% with over $426,000 raised through Rice Bowl. Approximately seventy-five percent of those funds, or $320,000, supported CRS’ humanitarian response and development programs in nearly 100 countries where it operates. The remaining twenty-five percent of the funds, or $106,000, went to Nutritional Development Services supporting hunger and poverty alleviation efforts through its network of 50 food cupboards throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.
This year, Rice Bowl officially began on Ash Wednesday, February 14 and will conclude on Holy Saturday, March 30. For additional information and resources for CRS Rice Bowl, please visit https://archphila.org/crsricebowl/.
Ms. Anne H. Ayella, CRS Diocesan Director, offered remarks on Rice Bowl’s impact globally.
Ms. Lizanne Hagedorn, Executive Director of Nutritional Development Services, offered remarks regarding Rice Bowl’s impact locally on hunger relief efforts.
Ms. Sarina DiBianca, Executive Director of Siloam Wellness, delivered remarks.
Most Reverend John J. McIntyre, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, presided over this year’s blessing of the cardboard Rice Bowl containers.
