What is the history of CRS Rice Bowl?

More than 40 years ago, Catholics in the United States wanted to respond to famine in Africa. Could people who were hungry be helped through Lenten prayers, fasting and almsgiving? Yes! The help came in the form of a small cardboard box, marking the beginning of “Operation Rice Bowl” in 1975 in parishes in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Today, CRS Rice Bowl is a tradition for millions of Catholics in the U.S. who employ the Lenten pillars of praying, fasting and almsgiving to change the lives of others while enriching their own.

In 1976, Operation Rice Bowl was adopted by the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops as a national program. In 1977, they voted to make Operation Rice Bowl the official program of Catholic Relief Services.

Bring your Rice Bowl to Church on Palm Sunday