Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Ajijic

On the lovely Ajijic plaza, there is a Pollería, a shop that sells fresh chicken, run by a charming woman named Monica. Once a month, on Wednesdays, Foodbank Lakeside uses Monica’s chicken shop to distribute Ajijic despensas (pantry items containing groceries such as rice, beans, oats, eggs, milk, soap and toilet paper) to needy families. When asked what motivated her to volunteer her store as the distribution point, Monica said that her mother always told her to help others whenever possible. A big thank you to Monica and also to the Ajijic coordinator, Paola de Watterlot, who picked up the despensa bags from Surtido and delivered them to Monica’s chicken shop. A founding member of Foodbank Lakeside, Paola also maintains a list of which families are eligible to receive a despensa.

Every village serviced by Foodbank Lakeside differs in its needs and circumstances. Ajijic’s population is smaller and less impoverished and so, only 15 families were on the distribution list when we visited. Roughly half of the families picked up their despensa at Monica’s shop. The other recipients were too infirm, so Monica’s friend would help deliver the remaining despensas by car later in the day. It takes a village of helpful neighbors to take care of each other! Foodbank Lakeside is proud to be part of that village. That’s also why our motto is “Neighbors Helping Neighbors”.

Here are a few stories about our Ajijic neighbors who really appreciate your donations that purchase the despensas. Elena was first. She began by observing that the desensa bag was almost as big as she was. She is closer to four feet than to five feet, 64 years old, with no work. She lives with her four children and one grandchild, who clearly loves her and was happy to carry the despensa bag home.

Next came Maria Verta. You may have seen her husband on the malecon. He is one of the vendors who pushes a cart full of snacks for sale. The pandemic has reduced tourism and so his business has really declined. Maria lives with her husband, one child who is unemployed, and a baby grandchild. Everyone really appreciates the despensa!

Maria Guadaloupe has many challenges. Sadly, her 19 year old son recently passed away. In addition, her husband is not working and two of her four remaining sons are unemployed due to the pandemic. During these hard times, she really appreciates the company of her youngest son, who helped her carry the despensa home.

The next three families were experiencing major health challenges. First was Estela. Her lower leg had to be amputated due to complications from diabetes. It’s difficult enough to walk on the Ajijic cobblestones, think of how challenging it would be to move around with a wheelchair and look for work. Estella lives with her 8 year old son and her mother, who also has also lost a lower leg due to diabetes. A helpful neighbor with a truck provides much-needed transportation.

The next health challenge was cancer. Luz Moreno’s mother has breast cancer, and is too weak to pick up her despensa. So, her daughter came to the rescue.

Finally, there was Rohelio. His wife, Ortensia, is diabetic and it has impacted her sight. She has to have eye treatments every month in Guadalajara. The expenses of travel to Guadalajara as well as medicines eats into their food budget. Another expense is their rent, as they don’t own a home. Rohelio is very busy helping his wife with daily life and medical treatments. When he has time, he finds work as a handyman and a gardener.

These are just a few of the families that receive despensas in Ajijic. We hope that this story illustrates why Foodbank Lakeside needs your donations to distribute monthly despensas (pantry items) containing groceries such as rice, beans, oats, eggs, milk, soap and toilet paper. Just $18.00 USD, or $23.00 CAD or $370.00 MXN pesos can help feed an average family for a month.