Feeding the Hungry, Feeding the Soul: The Impact of Rice Bowl Grants

by John Huynh | September 3, 2024

Receiving the Lord in the Eucharist is to receive God's love without conditions, but it is not without consequences. The primary consequence is that communion with the Eucharistic body of Christ must be accompanied by our communion with the mystical body of Christ, which is the Church—our brothers and sisters. In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, St. Paul emphasizes that partaking in the Eucharist signifies a profound communion with both Christ and the community of believers.

In the same vein, St. Augustine emphasizes that it is important to be reconciled before receiving Holy Communion. He uses a metaphor to illustrate this point: if you receive Communion without reconciling with an offended brother, it is like eagerly embracing a long-absent friend while unknowingly stepping on his feet with nailed boots. St. Augustine is here reminding us of the harm done to Jesus through unresolved conflicts with others.

This is particularly true regarding the poor, the afflicted, and the destitute. The Jesus who instituted the Eucharist by declaring, "This is my body," (cf. Matthew 26:26) also identified himself with the poor when he declared, "You did it to me," referring to acts of charity towards the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned (cf. Matthew 25:35).

Jacqueline Pascal, the sister of the philosopher Blaise Pascal, recounted that during his final days, unable to receive the Holy Eucharist, Pascal requested a poor person to be with him, saying, "Since I cannot communicate with the head [Jesus Christ], I can at least communicate with his body." Similarly, St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, "If we can see Jesus under the species of bread, we can also see him in the mutilated bodies of the poor. We need the poor to see him."

This past spring, the Diocese of Des Moines and Catholic Charities, in partnership with CRS Rice Bowl, awarded grants to seven organizations within the diocese to support their efforts in alleviating food insecurity. This year's recipients are The Good Samaritan Food Pantry, Highland Park Community Services, Catholic Charities Food Pantry, Waukee Area Christian Services, Youth Group at Holy Trinity, Children and Family Urban Movement, and Afghan Partners in Iowa.

As Gigi Wilwerding, Director of Youth Ministry at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, shared: "The best part of the summer was Tuesday lunch day. Families were fed and relationships were made!" The joy and love these gatherings foster tell us that a meal extends beyond just the food—it makes real communion.

Pastor Philip Herman of Highland Park Community Church highlighted a similar experience: "Roughly 95% of the children in our Summer Adventure Camp come from low-income families who struggle with proper nutrition. The CRS Rice Bowl grant helped us provide fresh fruit and vegetables each afternoon as part of their snack. Thank you for making this a great summer for these children."

The Eucharist calls us to a deep communion—not only with Christ but with one another, especially the poor and the hungry. In receiving Christ’s body, we are compelled to serve his body in the world. The work of the CRS Rice Bowl grant recipients answers this call, exemplifying Christian charity. By feeding the hungry and supporting the vulnerable, they remind us that every act of service is an act of love for Christ and his body. May the power of the Eucharist continue to inspire the Diocese, Catholic Charities, and all who serve, as they work to heal the wounds of our communities through love in action.