LCUUF has a Share the Basket program which helps support six charitable organizations in the Lake Chapala area.  One hundred percent (100%) of the offering basket (less designated pledges) each Sunday will be donated to the Share the Basket recipient for the month.  If you pay your pledge or donate to LCUUF by PayPal, by Bill Pay, or pesos directly to our Treasurer in cash, you may designate the amount to go to Share the Basket.

ASOCIACIÓN PROMÉXICO  (February and August) Each year, women from 11 villages throughout the Lake Chapala region are enrolled in a 7-10 month course, free of charge, which provides education and career training, as well as mentoring through their “Second Chances” program, housed in San Juan Cosala. Each term 30-40 women graduate and go on to support their families, selves, and the community in a variety of ways.

FOODBANK LAKESIDE (March and September) FoodBank Lakeside works to relieve the chronic food poverty of our most disadvantaged neighbors in numerous villages along Lake Chapala by collaborating with donors, volunteers, businesses, and community organizations to ease suffering and offer the hope of a brighter future throughout the Lakeside Community.

NIÑAS SABIAS (Wise Girls) (April and October) Niñas Sabias’ mission weaves education, empowerment and entrepreneurship so girls emerge stronger and happier in pursuit of their dreams. Through mentoring, girls learn to acknowledge their worth, wisdom, and power, as they endeavor to change limitations and burdens into empowerment and strength.

OPERATION FEED (May and November) For over 30 years, Operation Feed volunteers have been providing food and improving the lives of the very poor and marginalized people of the village of San Juan Cosalá. They provide weekly food dispensas to 150 families and individuals who would go hungry without the aid. Operation Feed also supports new program initiatives like cooking classes and crochet projects to involve the people in developing additional income sources and skills.

POCO A POCO (June and December)  Poco a Poco supports youth and women in the San Pedro Itzican and Mezcala area east of us through education, teaching local organic food growth, providing food and drinking water to renal patients, feeding over 300 children 5 days a week, offering health services, as well as literacy and English as a second language classes. 

TEPEHUA (July 2024 and January 2025) The Tepehua neighborhood is situated on the hillside above downtown Chapala. It is considered one of the poorest neighborhoods in the state of Jalisco.  Their vision is to help a village to help itself, to create a place the poor of the village can go for food, water, counseling, education, guidance and help of any kind.

For more information, contact our Treasurer, Al Castleman, at [email protected]