OUR DESPENSAS
What is a ‘Despensa’?
What is a ‘despensa’? A bag of groceries — beans, rice, soap, milk, eggs, oatmeal — the essentials. Most of our despensas are distributed from the Surtidor Warehouse in Chapala and some come from Antonio’s Abarrotes in San Antonio. Surtidor’s and Antonio’s workers have the list of items and they create separate bags according to the number required for each community and delivery day. These despensa bags are loaded into volunteer drivers’ vehicles. Despensas are typically dropped off at the home of the family on the list. Local Coordinators for each community we serve know the addresses of all the recipients and accompany the volunteer drivers to drop off the despensas. In some cases, despensas are distributed from the Surtidor warehouse store.
As an example, the Local Coordinator in Santa Cruz, Javier, and his family own a little tienda in town and he knows everyone on a first name basis. He knows the circumstances and location of each family on the list to receive a despensa. Most of them are disabled, handicapped elderly or large families without adequate income.
| ITEM | AMOUNT |
| Rice | 1 Kilo (2.2 Pounds) |
| Beans | 2 Kilo (4.4 Pounds) |
| Pasta | 3 Packages |
| Oats | 1 Kilo (2.2 Pounds) |
| Eggs | 1 Kilo (2.2 Pounds) |
| Oil | 1 Liter Ave Brand |
| Milk | 2 Liter (2 Quarts) Lala Brand |
| Soap Powder (Salvo) | 1 Kilo |
| Toilet Paper | Package of four rolls |
| Soap Bar | 1 Neutral Lily |
| Tomato Puree | 3 |
| Lentils | 1 Kilo |
Each Local Coordinator fills out an intake form and visits the home to evaluate the family’s situation. Many of the recipients are elderly or permanently disabled and will continue to need our help. In some cases their neighbor or family member cooks for them using the items in the despensa we provide. The lists fluctuate as family circumstances change. Sometimes a family member gets a job, or part of the family moves out, improving their situation and they can come off the list. Sometimes a family receives a despensa from other local community providers like DIF and then they come off our list. Our Local Coordinators are part of the community and are aware of changing circumstances. They care about their neighbors and ensure those who truly need the help are getting it.