FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, March 14, 2025 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is honored to share a special message from His Holiness Pope Francis, recognizing the 50th anniversary of CRS Rice Bowl, CRS’ annual Lenten program dedicated to global hunger and poverty alleviation efforts.

In his letter, Pope Francis applauds the faithful who have participated in CRS Rice Bowl over the past five decades, emphasizing its vital role in promoting global solidarity and care for the most vulnerable. He encourages continued fraternity, love for one another and commitment to the mission of CRS, especially in serving those affected by hunger and poverty.

Below is the full text of Pope Francis’ letter:

“I was pleased to learn that the Rice Bowl program of Catholic Relief Services is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary. On this auspicious occasion, I express my good wishes to all involved in this noble initiative as well as my gratitude for the faithful in the United States of America, who, through this service, assist the poorest and most vulnerable at home and abroad.

It is fitting therefore that this effort takes place in the holy season of Lent, when the Church invites us to pray, fast, and give alms in preparation for the Easter celebrations. For five decades now, the Rice Bowl program has offered a concrete way for Catholics to give alms as they seek to put their faith into action. When caring for our neighbor, we must always remember that charity is to be given without qualifications or limits, as Jesus teaches us in the parable of the Good Samaritan (cf. Lk 10:25-37). In doing so, we reflect the closeness, compassion, and tender love of God who cares for all of his children in the one human family.

Indeed, in a particular way, the Covid-19 pandemic reminded us that we are members of a global community, ‘all in the same boat,’ where the problems of others are the problems of all (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 32). With this in mind, we must continuously strive to help others realize that the serious challenges currently affecting so many of our brothers and sisters, including war, forced migration and hunger, concern all of us. Perhaps we could even invite others to compare their daily lives with those migrants and foreigners, so that they might learn how to understand better their experiences and in this way discover what God is asking of us in our own day (cf. Message for Lent 2025).

This reality also reinforces the fact that in addition to the laudable efforts that we undertake as individuals during Lent and at other times, we must not forget the importance of working together. It is my hope therefore that the Rice Bowl program and other initiatives offered by Catholic Relief Services will continue to serve as examples of how to fulfill the Gospel’s command to love and serve our neighbor in a communal way.

With these sentiments, I renew my best wishes as you celebrate this anniversary, and upon all who support the Rice Bowl program, I invoke Almighty God’s blessings of wisdom, hope and strength.”

For 50 years, CRS Rice Bowl has invited Catholics in the U.S. to deepen their Lenten experience through almsgiving and create long-lasting impacts around the world and in their own communities. CRS Rice Bowl donations support hunger alleviation programs in more than 100 countries, including the U.S., with 25% of all money raised staying in the diocese that collects it.

As Pope Francis urges in his letter, all are invited to join his legacy of faith in action. Direct donations are accepted online, by phone or mail.

Online:

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

By Phone:

Call 877-435-7277 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 5 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

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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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