November 2020

A mother and her devoted son, that is Paula and Rubben. Today we visited a mother and son duo in Santa Cruz. Paula has been in a wheelchair for years and her caretaker is her 24 year old son Ruben.

Rubben still has a dream to attend college in Guadalajara. As an outsider looking in on the dynamic duo I felt the hope that Rubben has for his future. He really needs our help above and beyond the despensas that he and his mother receive.

I know that Rubben has a great responsibility to help his mother but I would really hate to see him lose his dream of attending college. I think Rubben really needs a mentor that could help to guide him and help him realize his dream. He told us that he hasn’t been able to get his name on the list of those who are eligible for the university which is why he could benefit from someone to help him through the process.

Update: Son Now Attending College, Mom Still Gets By

April 2023

A lot has changed since Paula Zuñiga and her son Rubben were featured in a FoodBank Lakeside website story “Families We Serve in Santa Cruz”. At the same time, much remains the same.

Rubben

Rubben, 27, always offers a ready smile enveloped by shyness as he greets visitors and easily provides an update on how his life has changed so much recently. 

Rubben was living at home, attending to his mother and hoping someday soon to be accepted at the Universidad de Guadalajara, widely regarded as one of Mexico’s most prestigious universities. He had added his name to the list of those eligible to attend the school but remained on the school’s waiting list. 

His dream came true last summer. He was accepted as an undergraduate for the Fall 2022 semester  As of this spring, Rubben is a full-time student completing his first year of study. His classes have included world history, introduction to sociology and learning how to properly conduct research for class papers and tests. So far, he is averaging about 87 percent in his studies.

His major is Sociology. He plans to get a four-year degree and then pursue a master’s degree in the same subject. After that, he isn’t certain yet what he will do. “There are a lot of fields where I can work, but I have not figured that out yet,” Rubben said.

When classes are in session Rubben rents “a little room” near  campus. His uncle covers the cost of his living space and utilities. Other expenses, including class supplies, food and bus rides, must be covered by the $1,500 – $2,000 MXN Rubben must live on monthly. He is waiting for his student ID so he can ride public buses for free instead of paying $100 – $200 MXN for transportation, as he does now.

Weekends at Home

Every weekend and when classes aren’t held, Rubben returns to Santa Cruz and his mother.  He rides the bus to Chapala and then rides a smaller bus to Santa Cruz de la Soledad, a neighborhood on Chapala’s northeast edge. That bus deposits him along the Chapala-Mezcala road or, at times, at Santa Cruz’s plaza. Rubben then walks home.

Paula

Paula (pronounced Pa-oo-la) is a Santa Cruz native. She inherited her home after her parents passed away. She needs her wheelchair to get around her house and yard. 

She now takes care of herself with help from others. She rents two rooms in her home and a cousin provides $1,000 MXN, plus pays helpers to clean Paula’s house. But despite this financial aid, FoodBank Lakeside’s despensa is essential to her. 

Paula, 50, said in Spanish that she has received monthly FoodBank Lakeside despensas for about two years. She depends on a monthly despensa of basic food, delivered by FoodBank Lakeside volunteers, to feed herself and make ends meet. Because she now lives alone except when Rubben comes home, the donated food can last her about three weeks.

Many, Many Thank You’s

“Thank you – many, many thank you’s – because it helps a lot,” Paula said. “Thank God for the goodness of their (donors’) hearts, their charity and doing what they do.”

The stories shared by Rubben and Paula highlight how the food assistance provided by FoodBank Lakeside can have a profound impact on the lives of families in need. Not only does it provide a reliable source of nutrition, but it also can help keep families together by alleviating financial stress. Rubben’s journey towards self-sufficiency is a prime example of how the generosity of donors to FBL can make a real difference in people’s lives. With continued support, more families can benefit from the services provided by FoodBank Lakeside. If you’d like to donate and make a difference, please visit www.foodbanklakeside.org/donate.

Written by Steve Taylor, FoodBank Lakeside volunteer

Interpreter Brenda Vazquez contributed to this article.