How do we connect with those in need? How do we actually determine who receives despensas? How do we know when a family is able to stop getting despensas? Scroll down for all the details!

In the early days of FBL, it seemed like we were constantly discovering more families that needed our help. It quickly became a stressful prospect, having an ever growing family list.

But then it happened. After receiving our despensas for a couple months, one of the day’s recipients approached the distribution point and with a happy and proud smile, told our local coordinator that they won’t be needing the despensa any more, urging us to please give it to someone else in need… the family had found employment and could now take care of itself. It was a powerful moment exemplifying the profoundly grateful attitude of our recipients.

FoodBank is here to help people get on their feet, to enable hunger-free focus on solving their problems and attaining a better future. And so to do this mindfully, we have a process on how we determine the families we support, and prevent anyone from becoming dependent on us.

Our community organizers are the ones with the “boots on the ground” and are vital to the success of the FoodBank Lakeside program. These tireless volunteers are local Mexican nationals that are part of the communities in which they work. They have the connections and the social interactions that give them a lot of insight into what families are in need and what families may now be able to adequately provide for themselves.

At the present time we have three community coordinators in Chapala, one in Ajijic, one covering San Antonio and Riberas, and one covering San Nicolas de Ibarra and Santa Cruz de la Soledad. In addition we provide assistance in San Pedro Itzican through our partnership with Poco a Poco.

When it has been brought to our attention that a particular individual or family needs assistance to put food on their table, one of the community organizers is contacted and an in-home interview is set up. We have an intake form with some very specific questions; which include the following:

• Number of adults and children in the household
• Do they currently receive any support in the form of food or financial?
• Is anyone in the household unemployed because of COVID?
• When working, what is their line of work?
• How much do they pay for rent?
• What is their total household income, including any support they may be getting?
• How many in the household are suffering with kidney disease, severe illness or are disabled?
• How many dogs and/or cats do they have.  (this is information for our partnership with Pet Foodbank Lakeside)

It is not only the answers to these questions but also the visit to the home in which they are living that helps us determine the level of need.

In the end, taking everything into consideration, the local coordinator in collaboration with their liaison, makes a decision about who truly needs to receive our help.

On the other side of determining who receives a despensa is the “ability” of knowing who is ready to be independent of the food assistance that FoodBank Lakeside provides. This process relies heavily on our community coordinators. Not only are they routinely visiting the homes and talking to the recipients, but they also have the social connections to learn of changes within the community. It is a happy day for all when a family is once again on their feet and able to provide for themselves.

We are aware that donating funds to a non profit organization, like Foodbank Lakeside, requires an implied faith that your money is being utilized to its highest and best use.

FoodBank is, and will always be, a transparent organization. If at any time, you have questions or need more information please do not hesitate to reach out. We would also be pleased to arrange for you to do a “ride along” with one of our community coordinators on despensa delivery day. Seeing first hand what your donations are doing to change our community for the better is often a very powerful and rewarding experience.