We grabbed coffee with Cynthia Cuestas, Food Security Outreach VISTA on our Food Security team. We had a chat about highlights of her experience at the Food Council, her unique transition from Hawaii to the DMV, and her love for Law and Order: Organized Crime.
How do you like your coffee?
No sugar, a dash of oat milk.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love running, and recently started fencing thanks to the Olympics–I even got promoted to intermediate fencing! I also love spending time with my dog Stella, a greyhound/labrador mix rescued from a kill shelter in Texas!
Why did you join the Food Council?
I am currently in graduate school studying urban planning. This Spring, I conducted an analysis of a neighborhood in D.C. that lacked grocery stores and affordable housing. This made me realize that the need for housing also intersects with food insecurity. I am very interested in learning more about how we can improve food and housing insecurity and I thought joining the Food Council would be the best place to do it!
What’s your day-to-day like? Describe what you do at MCFC.
I work with the Food Access Initiatives Manager, Allison to help handle the SNAP Outreach system. I work with the Food Security Community Advisory Board, [community members with lived experiences of food insecurity who share their thoughts and perspectives on the County’s Food Security Plan] helping them with their advocacy plans, and general program support of the board. I also help with keeping our Food Assistance Resource Map up to date!
What’s like it to be a part of the SNAP Outreach/Food Security team?
I love my team and how everyone is so helpful, caring and understanding! I also love the good work that we do. We put out work we are proud of and something that the community will use and benefit from.
What are you most proud of doing since joining the Food Council?
I am extremely proud and honored to be working with the Food Security Community Advisory Board (FSCAB). The members inspire me daily and are a great reminder to keep doing the good work we do!
What does it mean to be a VISTA?
Historically, AmeriCorps Vista is a service program funded by Congress with the goal of alleviating poverty in the United States. AmeriCorps Vista Members work in various non-profits through activities such as volunteer recruitment, grant writing, fundraising, and research. For me, being a VISTA is humbling and gratifying experience!
Quick Facts:
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Last show I binge-watched: Law and Order: Organized Crime
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Go to snack during the work day: Carrots if I am being healthy, if not, Pringles
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Restaurant I Recommend: TEMARI Japanese Cafe, in Rockville
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Movie I’d pay to see again and again: The Godfather
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Biggest difference between Hawaii and the DMV: The weather