LaBelle’s local favorite one-stop-restaurant, Paleteria La Victoria, boasts a menu with something for any taste. Serving everything from burgers, fries, and broasted chicken to traditional tacos, gorditas, enchiladas- and don’t even get me started on the desserts, both Nelda Cuellar and JoeAnn Alaniz, the mother-daughter team that own and manage the popular little spot, have come up with a great idea this holiday season.

Inspired by the pay-it-forward movement, and having always felt a deep connection to their community, they’ve begun a prepaid meal program that allows customers to buy a meal ticket for anyone who might be going through a hard time. Anyone who is hungry and in need of lunch or dinner, can come in and use one of the prepaid tickets for a meal.

“It breaks my heart to see a lot of people in need, and I’m sure they would like to have a fresh homemade meal,” said Nelda, “We are so blessed, so why not pay it forward?”

The project was kicked started by local resident, Susan Wegscheid, who donated $100. Customers can pay-it-forward in any amount to help the hungry and homeless.

Stop in and try the delicious homemade ice cream, a hot meal made to order, or one of their wild and crazy sweet and sour creations. They’re located at 155 W. Cowboy Way, across the way from LaBelle Elementary School. Their hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily, and they can be reached by phone at (863) 302-5217. They also have a Facebook page, where they post enticing photos of their daily specials.