25% of Rice Bowl donations collected within the Archdiocese of Chicago stay local to fund projects that emulate the mission and vision of Catholic Relief Services. In addition to international emergency aid, CRS has numerous initiatives that promote long-term solutions to poverty and hunger overseas, such as projects focused on restorative justice, agricultural development, micro-lending, fair trade enterprises, and hunger prevention initiatives. To learn more about CRS’ 2030 vision and strategy, click here.
Catholic Relief Services’ Rice Bowl Grant applications are now open! If you are involved with or know of a direct service nonprofit in the Chicagoland area seeking funding in the amount of $5,000-$20,000, consider applying for a CRS Rice Bowl Grant today. Applications are open from June 1, 2025 to July 31, 2025.
Not sure if your group would be eligible? Please contact us at [email protected] for any questions on eligibility or application process. We look forward to hearing from you.
Learn more about our 2022 Grantees:
CRS Rice Bowl Resources
Rice Bowl Orders: If your parish already participates in the CRS Rice Bowls, you will automatically be shipped the same order quantity as the previous year. All orders will be shipped at the beginning of January. To make changes to your orders, please consult the CRS Rice Bowl website or call 1.800.222.0025.
DIY Rice Bowl Label: For families who are participating in remote learning, you can share this downloadable CRS Rice Bowl label. Print the label and attach it to any empty jar or container for a Do-It-Yourself Rice Bowl.
Resources for the Classroom: The CRS Rice Bowl website had a wide array of lesson plans, stories and videos from our global human family, recipes for meatless meals, and so much more! Follow this link to download free resources to use in the classroom.
Resources for the Parish: The CRS Rice Bowl website had a wide array of prayers, bulletin announcements, stories and videos, recipes for meatless meals, a Virtual Stations of the Cross, and so much more! This year you can also create an online giving page for easier Rice Bowl collections. Follow this link to download free resources to use with your faith community this Lent.
Are you ready to encounter Lent this year in your parish or school? Whether CRS Rice Bowl is a tradition in your community or if you are considering participating for the first time, the Catholic Relief Services Ministry here at the Archdiocese of Chicago is ready to help you prepare for a season of encounter. For more information, click here.
We can’t wait for you to join the CRS Rice Bowl Movement!
¿Estás listo para salir al encuentro de la Cuaresma este año en tu parroquia o escuela? Ya sea que Plato de Arroz de CRS es la tradición in tu comunidad o si estás considerando participar por primera vez, el ministerio de Catholic Relief Services aquí en la Arquidiócesis de Chicago está listo para asistirte en tu preparación para esta temporada de encuentro. Para más información, haga clic aquí.
¡Únete al movimiento Plato de Arroz de CRS!
CRS Rice Bowl is an annual Lenten program created for parishes, schools and families to engage in global solidarity, raising funds for CRS' international work, but more importantly, building bonds with, learning about and praying for people all over the world. CRS Rice Bowl is so much more than a simple tool for almsgiving — it is a way to connect with the worldwide Church.
Each year, CRS highlights stories from three different countries — this year, we will learn more about Nigeria, Guatemala and Bangladesh. During each week of Lent, we have the opportunity to hear stories from families in each country, enjoy delicious meatless recipes and pray for our brothers and sisters as we reflect on our own daily choices. At the conclusion of Lent, parishes and schools should send their Rice Bowl contributions to:
Catholic Relief Services P.O. Box 5200 Harlan, IA 51593-0700
Chicago-area parishes and organizations receive 25% of the donations from CRS Rice Bowl. These funds alleviate poverty in our local communities.
Not currently a CRS Rice Bowl parish or school? Click here to participate in Rice bowl during Lent.
