About Operation Rice Bowl

Operation Rice Bowl, the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, began in 1975 in the Diocese of Allentown, PA as a response to the drought in the African Sahel. For 35 years, Operation Rice Bowl has called participants to pray with their families and faith communities; fast in solidarity with those who hunger; learn about our global community and the challenges of poverty around the world, and give sacrificial contributions to those in need.

Operation Rice Bowl offers Catholics in the United States a way to connect with our brothers and sisters around the world. We believe that through solidarity the world can be transformed.

Over the past 35 years, $191 million has been collected through Operation Rice Bowl to support CRS’ development projects that improve people’s ability to access food in communities around the world and in the United States. Each Lent, nearly 14,000 faith communities across the United States participate in Operation Rice Bowl as a way to foster solidarity with the poor around the world.

Here you can find answers to your Frequently Asked Questions, or contact us to learn more about how you can become involved in this Lenten tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do contributions to Operation Rice Bowl assist our neighbors around the world?

Seventy-five percent of Operation Rice Bowl proceeds come to Catholic Relief Services and help fund development projects designed to increase food security in communities in over 40 countries around the world. No Operation Rice Bowl funds are used for emergency programming.

CRS development projects include:

  • Agriculture projects helping farmers improve crop yields and increase food security in communities.
  • Water projects bringing clean water to communities.
  • Microfinance projects encouraging the growth of small businesses.
  • Mother and Child Health projects providing basic health and nutrition services.
  • Education projects providing resources and training.
  • HIV and AIDS projects supporting the local Catholic Church in communities around the world in addressing the many needs of people affected by this disease.

All CRS development projects help strengthen communities, foster self-reliance and respect the human dignity of its participants.

Twenty-five percent of contributions support hunger and poverty alleviation efforts in dioceses in the United States.

Learn more about how Operation Rice Bowl funds are used around the world and in your community by visiting our interactive map.

How does Operation Rice Bowl differ from a typical second collection?

Operation Rice Bowl is not just about putting money in a Rice Bowl during Lent. It combines four equally important components: praying, fasting, learning and giving. The alms are collected in the home during Lent as one part of the program. Alms are a part of our Lenten sacrifice that includes praying and fasting. With the help of materials such as the Lenten Calendar, participants have a daily guide for prayer and fasting in solidarity with the poor. In addition to giving alms, participants also have the opportunity to learn more about the developing world and to deepen their Lenten experience with spiritual reflection.

How much money was raised by Operation Rice Bowl in 2009?

Nearly 14,000 parishes, schools and faith communities participated in Operation Rice Bowl 2009. Approximately $8 million was contributed through Operation Rice Bowl. Seventy-five percent of Operation Rice Bowl contributions come to Catholic Relief Services to fund development projects around the world and Lenten education projects in the United States. Twenty-five percent of Operation Rice Bowl contributions remain in dioceses in the United States to help fund local hunger and poverty alleviation projects.

Learn more about how Operation Rice Bowl funds are used around the world and in your community by visiting our interactive map.

Where do I send my Operation Rice Bowl contribution?

Parishes and Schools
Please contact your CRS Diocesan Director for information on where to send your Operation Rice Bowl contributions. All of the Operation Rice Bowl contributions from parishes, schools, and other faith communities in your diocese will be combined and 75 percent of the funds will be sent by your diocese to Catholic Relief Services. Twenty-five percent may remain in your diocese to fund local hunger and poverty alleviation efforts.

You can locate your Diocesan Directory with our online search.

Individuals and families
Please contact your parish or school for information on when and where your community is collecting Operation Rice Bowl contributions.

If your faith community does not participate in Operation Rice Bowl and you would like to make a contribution, you may submit your gift online or to the address below.

You may also submit your gift online or to the address below.

Catholic Relief Services
Operation Rice Bowl
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, MD 21203-7090

Why does 25 percent of the money raised remain in my diocese?

Catholic Relief Services believes that the 25 percent of Operation Rice Bowl contributions remaining in the dioceses affirms the importance of our global responsibility as Christians to assist those in need both around the corner and around the world. The contributions remaining in dioceses help participants understand the plight of the poor around the world through the experience of the poor in their own communities.

Learn more about how Operation Rice Bowl funds are used around the world and in your community by visiting our interactive map.

How do I contact CRS’ Operation Rice Bowl?

By E-mail:
educationprograms@crs.org
By Phone:
1-866-608-5978

By Mail:
Catholic Relief Services
Operation Rice Bowl
228 West Lexington Street
Baltimore, MD 21201