Want to enjoy a local restaurant’s tasty offerings while also helping to feed local families?  

FoodBank Lakeside’s Dine & Donate program has 9 restaurant partners (as of July 2024) where at each table a colorful table tent implores diners, “You Can Help Beat Hunger.” It notes that, for the price of an average meal, one can feed a hungry family of four for a month.

How? Simply ask your waiter for a FoodBank donation envelope, fill out your information, insert your donation and return it to the waiter. There’s also a QR code on the table tent to make online donations via your mobile device.

Lisa Beeman manages the Dine and Donate program for FoodBank Lakeside. Lisa is looking for volunteers to add restaurants across Lakeside, from Chapala east through Riberas del Pilar, San Antonio Tlayacapan and Ajijic. She estimates there are roughly 40 restaurants throughout Ajijic alone which are program candidates. If you would like to help promote this program, please contact Lisa at foodbanklakeside@gmail.com.

This year to date, June 2024, Dine and Donate raised $13,640 MXN primarily from seven restaurants.

A $20 USD or $400 peso donation provides essential food and hygiene items for a family of four for a month. Thanks to very limited overhead costs, the all-volunteer FoodBank Lakeside, an organization of Mexican nationals and ex-pats, guarantees at least 95 percent of donations go toward feeding families.