Every Lenten season, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) invites us to journey toward celebrating Easter with our brothers and sisters around the world with the CRS Rice Bowl. Through our Rice Bowl practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we walk with people in developing nations in the hope of a better future.

Twenty-five percent of CRS Rice Bowl's contributions always stay in Eastern Washington to support hunger and nutrition efforts. In 2020, our committee of Fr. Jeff Lewis and a faithful group of deacons recommended these grants to Bishop Thomas Daly, which he approved for funding:

• Our Place Community Ministries in Spokane's West Central neighborhood, operated by the Sisters of the Holy Names
• The COVE food bank in Twisp, supported by St. Genevieve parish
• The Tonasket food bank in Okanogan County
• Shalom Ministries, downtown Spokane's "dining with dignity" meal program
• Feed Spokane, the area's leading food rescue organization, taking restaurant donations to meal sites such as the House of Charity
• The Cusick food bank in Pend Oreille County
• Holy Rosary Parish in Pomeroy, and their Knights of Columbus council, to support a weekend backpack food program at the local elementary school
• TASTY Kids summer feeding program in Chewelah
• Kettle Falls Community Chest food bank
• Red Door Kitchen in Clarkston, the town's only free meal site, at First Christian Church

While Catholic Charities responds to needs in Eastern Washington, we are proud to represent Catholic Relief Services—the U.S. Bishops' overseas relief and development program—serving God's people in more than 100 countries around the world. Blessings of Holy Week and Easter from Catholic Relief Services.