2023 Souper Bowl to Feed the Hungry

Ready for The Big Game? Go ahead and pick which Super Bowl team to root for -- but a week earlier, grab a locally made, ceramic bowl and help feed hungry local families and children – and enjoy a serving of chef-quality soup!

Simply Joyful, Ajijic’s wine bar & restaurant in central Mexico, and FoodBank Lakeside invite the public to the “Souper Bowl,” 3:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at Simply Joyful, Carretera Pte., #26, Ajijic, on the south side of the highway between Juarez & Pedro Moreno cross streets.

Tickets are $450 MXN each. They must be purchased in advance on this Go Fund Me page in U.S. dollars ($22.50 USD).

“This will ensure Simply Joyful prepares enough soup, but not too much,” said Steve Taylor, one of FoodBank Lakeside’s Souper Bowl organizers. “Diane Smith, Simply Joyful chef/owner, is offering the soup, but her staff cannot take reservations or sell tickets. That's FoodBank Lakeside's job and that's why this Go Fund Me page exists."

Simply Joyful’s cash bar will be open. Thanks to two donors, FoodBank Lakeside will provide locally made, ceramic bowls that Souper Bowl participants can take home after they enjoy their warm bowlful.

It's open house-like; just depart by 6:30 so the restaurant staff (already working late) can get home! A cash bar will be open. Supporters also can sign up to make smaller, monthly donations throughout the year via credit card or bank.

FoodBank Lakeside seeks new supporters and greater funding from current supporters – but Taylor emphasized that “any and all monetary donations, large or small, are welcome. Every peso or dollar helps.”

FoodBank Lakeside’s strengths:

• This community project provides monthly despensas (basic items such as beans, rice, oats, milk, eggs, soap and toilet paper) to hundreds of Lakeside’s poorest residents (including the elderly, severely disabled, families who’ve lost breadwinners, children) in seven local communities (Ajijic, San Antonio Tlayacapan, Riberas, Chapala, Santa Cruz, San Nicolás and San Pedro).

• FoodBank-supported Kids Kitchen provides healthy lunches five days a week to hundreds of children at risk of severe malnutrition and kidney disease. FoodBank Lakeside also provides special despensas to families in nearby indigenous villages who suffer from advanced kidney disease.

• FoodBank Lakeside is “all volunteers” working at home, with no office or warehouse costs, so 95 percent of all donations go to feed families.

• The charity relies on a dedicated cadre of Mexican volunteers, who are both eyes and ears in their respective Lakeside communities. This ensures those in need get despensas and children who get lunch on weekdays get fed instead of those no longer in need. Each client is routinely reevaluated.

• In addition, bags of dry dog and cat food go to pet-owning families via Pet Food Bank Lakeside whose pooches and felines would otherwise go hungry or beg food that humans need.

FoodBank Lakeside is recognized by the Foundation for Lake Chapala Charities, a U.S.-based 501(c)3 organization, allowing U.S. donors to make year-end, tax-deductible donations and receive tax receipts.

“Spread the word among friends, family and others, wherever it can resonate,” Taylor said. “I hope you’ll help better fund this essential, local effort meeting a dire need.”