CRS Rice Bowl
Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s 51st Annual Rice Bowl Initiative
This year’s Rice Bowl initiative takes place Wednesday, February 18, 2026, through Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will once again join Catholics throughout the country by participating in Rice Bowl, an initiative of Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
This faith-in-action program provides a tangible way to incorporate prayer, fasting, and almsgiving into our Lenten journeys. It also illuminates our shared commitment to assist the poor and vulnerable in our region and around the world.
Three-quarters of all contributions to Rice Bowl will provide assistance to impoverished communities overseas. The remaining 25% will be used by Nutritional Development Services, a ministry of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, to combat hunger and poverty locally in Philadelphia
Throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, NDS supports a network of over 50 food cupboards including five food cupboards operated by Catholic Charities of Philadelphia; five soup kitchens; and numerous community outreach programs.
For more information on CRS Rice Bowl, visit crsricebowl.org/.
Resources for Participation in Rice Bowl
- If you don’t have a CRS Rice Bowl, print the DIY Rice Bowl label and adhere it to a container.
- Each week, read and watch Stories of Hope and reflect with your family on how you can help our brothers and sisters around the globe.
- Prepare simple meatless meals each Friday to observe Lenten fasting protocols.
How to give to the Rice Bowl Collection
During Lent, we are called to give special attention to our relationship with God. Through opportunities to deepen our prayer, practice fasting and give alms, we meet our Lord and encounter our sisters and brothers around the world.
Make a donation to CRS Rice Bowl to help communities in Guatemala, Ghana, Timor Leste, and other countries overcome hunger and malnutrition and touch people in need locally, as well.
To donate by phone:
1-877-435-7277
To donate online:
To donate by mail:
Catholic Relief Services
CRS Rice Bowl
PO Box 5200
Harlan, IA 51593-0700
Rice Bowl donations may also be sent to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for Financial Services at 222 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Please note CRS Rice Bowl.
For more information, please contact Anne H. Ayella, director of the archdiocesan Catholic Relief Services office at aayella@archphila.org.