CHARLOTTE — Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte is accepting applications for the Summer 2026 Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Mini-Grant Program. Entities working to address hunger and poverty in the diocese may apply for $1,000 grants by Friday, July 17.
Guidelines, eligibility details and the application form are available at www.ccdoc.org/cchd-crs. Completed applications should be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Rice Bowl Mini-Grant Program is funded through the annual Lenten CRS Rice Bowl collection. For every $3 collected in the annual Rice Bowl Lenten Program that support CRS overseas projects, $1 stays in the Charlotte diocese. Depending on available funds, one or two grant rounds are held each year.
— Joseph T. Purello
HullCHARLOTTE — Diocese of Charlotte photographer Troy Hull received national honors from the Associated Church Press during the organization’s convention May 15 in Toronto.
Hull earned an Award of Merit (second place) in the Visual Communications: Photo Spread or Essay in Print category for his Black Catholic History Month photo essay in the Nov. 7, 2025, edition of the Catholic News Herald that highlighted moments of faith, family and community. The centerpiece image was photographed during Mass at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Charlotte.
He also received an Award of Excellence (first place) in the Single Photo with Article category for an image he captured during summer Totus Tuus camps.
The honors recognize Hull’s work documenting the life of the Church and capturing images that reflect the faith and diversity of the Catholic community in western North Carolina.
— Catholic News Herald
