As the coronavirus pandemic has blunted the local economy, lakeside’s unemployed and low-income families are struggling more than ever to put food on the table. Politicians, businesses leaders and emerging citizen groups are responding as Good Samaritans to aid Mexican neighbors most in need.
Government officials in Chapala and Jocotepec are chipping in a portion of their salaries and accepting donations to purchase despensas (pantry supplies) for impoverished households.
FoodBank Lakeside, an independent initiative kick-started by Mexican and foreign community leaders, is gathering steam just a week after it got rolling. Supporters are pitching in with financial aid to buy the contents of care packages containing dry legumes, rice, oats, sugar, pasta, tuna, eggs, cooking oil, bath and laundry soap, essential paper goods and face masks.
Weekly expenses currently run at about 40,000 pesos to assist nearly 100 families in Ajijic, San Antonio Tlayacapan, Mezcala and San Pedro Itzicán. Spending is expected to increase by 50 percent as operations expand to Santa Cruz de la Soledad and San Nicolás de Ibarra.
Find more details about the project and donation payment methods on Facebook @FoodBank Lakeside. Contact 376-765-7084.
