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CHARLOTTE — It started with a desire to make a difference.

In 1975, Catholics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, prayed, fasted and gave alms to help people suffering from famine in the Sahel region of Africa – marking the beginning of what would become

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl. Since then, generations of Catholics across the United States have come together each Lent with one common goal: to end global hunger.

It continued with a commitment to ending hunger.

In the 50 years since, we’ve been deeply moved by the commitment and impact you’ve had on this shared mission. CRS Rice Bowl has been proud to bring stories of hope to you and your family – stories about how our sisters and brothers are engaged in activities that break the cycle of hunger and build health and resilience. Stories of people like Hongkham Phengsaphone in Laos.

We met Phengsaphone in 2016, when she was volunteering as a cook at her children’s school, which provided free lunches for students. Her family also received monthly food rations through a Catholic Relief Services program after her husband fell seriously ill and they had to sell their farm. Over the next eight years, she became a mentor in her community – sharing knowledge and fostering a network of cooks who now rotate duties and make sure the children always have a warm meal to look forward to. Four of her six sons grew up on school meals, and they stand noticeably taller. Her husband’s health also improved, and he now works as a carpenter with two of their sons.

Today, however, our world faces a food crisis like never before. Our prayers and almsgiving are as important as ever.

When COVID-19 spread across the world, hunger was already deepening. Other problems have contributed to the current food crisis, such as conflict and wars, climate change and the rising cost of food. Now, millions of people are living without access to the food they need to live a healthy life. This is dangerous, especially for children who need the right nutrition to grow.

Whether this is the first time you’re participating in CRS Rice Bowl or you were one of the founding parishioners from Allentown, we must come together to hear their stories and address this urgent need – because everyone deserves plenty to eat.

— Catholic Relief Services

A prayer for our global family

In this holy season, let us recommit
to our global family as we pray:

Jesus, Bread of Life,
As we encounter you in the Eucharist this Lent,
nourish us with your love,
unite us in communion with our sisters and brothers,
showing us how we are connected.
Transform our hearts, that we may be moved to
share bread for life with our global family
and work for a world where all can thrive.

Amen.

Fifty years of CRS Rice Bowls

CRS Rice Bowl began during Lent 1975 in the Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, in response to world hunger. It has continued for 50 years.

Story of Hope: Bangladesh

Protecting crops from natural disasters

Shahadat Hossain lives on Manpura Island in Bangladesh. He is a successful vegetable farmer who grows beans, pumpkins, tomatoes, eggplants and green chilis. He spends his days caring for his cows and tending the garden plots on his family’s land. Their farm provides nutritious food for Hossain’s family to eat and extra produce he can sell at the market.

But a few years ago, Hossain’s family struggled to pay for basic household expenses like food and school fees. His father worked as a motorbike driver but only earned a small income. His mother grew vegetables, but without much success. Their village, and much of Bangladesh, is located on flat lowlands. The intense rainy season causes flooding that often destroys farms and crops.

“The desperation in my life was so immense. Farming would cost a lot of money, and we were in a state of mental, physical and financial loss all the time,” Hossain says.

Despite these challenges, Hossain didn’t give up. He and his mother joined a Catholic Relief Services’ project – implemented in partnership with Caritas Bangladesh – that helps families reduce their risk from natural disasters like flooding, cyclones and river erosion. They learned how to protect their crops from floodwaters by planting on raised garden beds. They also learned how to make organic fertilizer to grow healthier crops. With their new skills, Hossain and his mother boosted their vegetable harvest in just one year. Then they bought cows and chickens and sold the eggs for additional income. Soon, Hossain could afford to pay for his college tuition and for the education of his brothers.

“With the CRS training, my family can grow vegetables with less money. The vegetables I sell at the market help me to provide financially for my family,” Hossain says.

Hossain’s dream is to help other families in his community learn how to grow successful crops and become prosperous, too.

Dahl (Bangladesh)

Start to Finish: 30 minutes | Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:
2 cups dried red lentils, rinsed
4 cups water
2 tsp. ground turmeric
1 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
2 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp. ground cardamom
3-4 bay leaves
1 1/2 tsp. salt
Vegetable oil
1 small red onion, chopped
1 tbsp. garlic, chopped
Chopped cilantro

Directions:
1. In a large pot, add the lentils with 4 cups water and bring to a boil.
2. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer.
3. Add the turmeric power, ginger, cinnamon sticks, cardamom and bay leaves to the lentils and cook for 15 minutes, or until lentils are tender.
4. Remove the pot from the stove and add the salt.
5. In a separate pan, heat vegetable oil and add chopped onions and garlic, sautéing until they turn light brown.
6. Add the sautéed onions and garlic to the lentils
7. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.
8. Serve with rice.