“Are you an angel?”
It’s hard to believe a young child could ask such a question. But after meeting Maria, it’s easy to see why they might think so.
The child’s grandmother believed the same thing, when Maria helped her navigate the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) process. This is a program that assists individuals with little or no income in purchasing food.
Maria Aguirre has led the SNAP outreach for more than 20 years at Feeding Westchester!
And her leadership story is one of a local unsung hero—the true embodiment of what it means to be in service to one’s neighbor.
Maria’s remarkable journey began when her deacon, Bill Vaccaro, inspired by her dedication at church, encouraged her to bring her efforts to what was then known as “Food P.A.T.C.H.”
She accepted this task, which led her into the homes of our neighbors and allowed her to connect with individuals one-on-one, many of who are seniors or people with disabilities who need extra support.
Maria’s role is more than just a job to her—it’s a calling. She sees it as her duty to ensure that community members receive the services they need.
Her duty to her community has prevailed through times of difficulty. This was especially so when the pandemic brought new risks and restrictions, putting Maria in a tough situation. But unsurprisingly, she didn’t let the lockdown stop her from supporting those who needed her most.
“I have to keep working, no matter what.” This was her mission that resulted in neighbor’s staying fed.
In the beginning of the pandemic, Maria was told to just call community members to explain that she would not be able to make home visits. To which Maria replied, “that’s not my work…I have to do something.”
Maria did more than just something. With the help of her sisters, who are nurses, she was able to get Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits from hospitals. Now having this protection, Maria was able to continue to serve community members at their homes.
Although Maria brings inspiration to so many, she finds that it’s actually her neighbors’ stories that keep her motivated.
In one of those stories, she share, “I had surgery and lost my uterus…I felt very bad. As a woman it’s a tough thing. At that time, I went to a lady I had a home visit with, and she was crying so badly. And I said, is there something I can help you with? She said ‘my granddaughter has cancer; they have to take out her uterus. She will never be a mother.”
She continued to say that, “It really hit me because I was having the same situation, but guess what? I already have two kids… I let her go through all her feelings and helped her in that way. Usually, my goal is to help with SNAP, but sometimes in life, it’s a different situation.”
Another story Maria shared that impacted her was a time when she carried heavy bags of food up four flights of stairs in the summer heat—a task that wasn’t really her responsibility. Frustrated at first, her mood changed when she reached the door of a grandmother whose grandchildren greeted her with heartfelt gratitude. One of the children even kissed her hand. It was then Maria decided, “No more complaining about this.”
It’s these interactions with neighbors that have encouraged Maria to keep going.
I’m doing this because I see the response from the people, and that’s what motivates me every day to do what I’m supposed to do. You know, there will be blue days—yes, it’s true—but they don’t compare to the golden days I have working with the people.”
And in the end, Maria’s goal is one that goes deeper than SNAP: “We try to just offer hope.”
Sometimes hope is a bag of food. Sometimes it’s a fridge full of groceries. And sometimes hope is Maria!
