For the second year in a row, Rice Bowl Grants have been awarded to parishes and organizations working to alleviate hunger in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
The grants were open to parish food pantries, ministries, and Church-based organizations that work to address hunger in the Archdiocese.
This year’s recipients are:
- Derek Silva Community, Catholic Charities
- Saint Benedict Parish for the Deaf at Saint Francis Xavier Church, San Francisco
- St. Francis Center of Redwood City
- St. Vincent de Paul Society of Holy Angels Church, Colma
- St. Vincent de Paul Society of Nativity Parish, Menlo Park
- St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Augustine Church, South San Francisco
- St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Charles Church, San Carlos
- St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Matthias Church, Redwood City
- 10th and Mission Family Housing, Catholic Charities
Each of these programs operates in a unique way to meet the needs of their local community.
A number of the recipients are St. Vincent de Paul Societies at local parishes. Their food assistance programs are just one area of support that they offer, along with help with rent, utilities, toiletries, and other needs.
Grants will also go toward two separate Catholic Charities housing programs – 10th and Mission Family Housing, which provides services for youth as well as their parents, and the Derek Silva Community, which is focused on those living with HIV/AIDS. Both provide food assistance as part of the services offered.
The St. Francis Center of Redwood City was also a grant recipient this year. This organization strives to meet the needs of residents of their neighborhood through affordable housing, educational programs for children and adults, community gardens, laundry services, and more. The grant will support their food pantry.
The Rice Bowl Grants are funded through the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl program. This annual Lenten project allows people to direct their Lenten almsgiving toward the work of CRS addressing poverty around the globe. In addition, 25 percent of the donations stay within each diocese to support local anti-poverty efforts.
Parishes and schools are invited to participate in the Rice Bowl project during Lent of next year. To support these efforts, contact us to place an order for materials.
Below, see photos from some of last year’s Rice Bowl Grant recipients.
