FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Brittany Wichtendahl
Catholic Relief Services
brittany.wichtendahl@crs.org
(757) 748-5003
 

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, March 5, 2025 – Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) Rice Bowl program is celebrating its 50th year of funding hunger and poverty alleviation efforts around the world. The program, which is supported by more than 12,000 Catholic parishes and schools across the United States, has raised more than $350 million since its inception.

“For half a century, CRS Rice Bowl has been a pillar of our work,” said Sean Callahan, CRS president and CEO. “It has given hope to millions of our sisters and brothers experiencing hunger. We are humbled by the generous support that Catholics across the U.S. have shown for CRS Rice Bowl and for their global family.”

In 1975, CRS Rice Bowl began in Allentown, Pennsylvania as a response to the devastating drought in famine affecting families in the Sahel region of Africa. “Operation Rice Bowl,” as it was known then, was adopted in 1976 under the guidance of CRS in preparation for the 41st Eucharistic Congress. The bishops in the United States voted for it to be the official program of CRS in 1977.

Sadly, the issue of hunger is just as relevant now as it was in 1975. Since 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, hunger levels have remained high. In some parts of the world, the levels are increasing. Despite efforts to combat this rise, the world is still far off track to achieve the United Nations’ Zero Hunger goal.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, more than 580 million people could be chronically undernourished in 2030 – just five years away – if the trajectory is left unchecked. Elevated hunger levels are quickly becoming the new normal, causing long-term and generational harm to children, families and communities.

“This increase in hunger that we’re seeing is devastating,” said Callahan. “Families have to wait for hours in line for just one sack of rice or one container of water that might only last them the night. CRS Rice Bowl donations enable us to help during these emergency moments, as well as set up long-term help and development.”

More than 340 million people around the world are currently facing some level of food insecurity, with nearly 2 million facing catastrophic hunger – primarily in Gaza and Sudan. Many of these food crises involve overlapping issues that increase year after year.

“One of my greatest joys is to serve as Chairman of CRS’ board,” said Archbishop Nelson Pérez of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. “I’ve witnessed CRS’ work around the globe to alleviate the burdens of poverty and hunger. Their mission is critical to millions.”

In celebration of CRS Rice Bowl’s 50th anniversary, supporters are invited to join CRS for a night of prayer and reflection on Thursday, March 20. The event will feature inspiring stories from CRS’ work around the world and will be an opportunity for supporters to come together to pray for an end to world hunger. Supporters are also invited to visit crsricebowl.org and share a Lenten prayer intention on the new interactive global map.

“As we enter the Lenten season, CRS is proud to mark this milestone and bolster support for CRS Rice Bowl,” said Callahan. “We are more committed than ever to our work dedicated to ending global hunger and poverty. I have seen the wonderous work that CRS can accomplish because of the strength and generosity of our supporters. Through CRS Rice Bowl, they have lifted up millions over the past 50 years, and I know they will be by our side for another 50 as we tackle global food security together.”

As always, direct donations to CRS are accepted online, by phone or mail.

Online:

English: crsricebowl.org/give
Spanish: crsplatodearroz.org/donar

By Phone:

Call 877-435-7277 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and tell the operator that the gift is for CRS Rice Bowl.

By Mail:
Please write “CRS Rice Bowl” on the memo line of your check and mail it to:

Catholic Relief Services
Attn: CRS Rice Bowl
P.O. Box 5278
Tipton, IA 52772-0517

CRS Rice Bowls can be ordered in quantities of 25 at crsricebowl.org/order. Materials designed for families, parishes, elementary and middle school students, high school students, universities and dioceses are also available online.

“Please join me in celebrating the 50th anniversary of CRS Rice Bowl by actively participating in this Lenten initiative,” said Archbishop Pérez. “It encourages Catholics in the United States to learn, pray and give alms in support of CRS’ work here at home and around the world. CRS Rice Bowl has been an essential part of the American Lenten journey for decades and has helped generations of Catholics put their faith in action.”

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org and follow Catholic Relief Services on social media in English at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube; and in Spanish at: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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CRS Online Press Room: www.crs.org/press-room