Maria Balboa


As is my custom on Sunday the following is about someone we should praise and admire. Today’s story is taken from the Epoch Times. 

Texas A&M University student Maria Balboa, 19, had been working at an H-E-B grocery store for fewer than two months when an older Hispanic woman and two children approached her checkout on March 28. The check-out cost for the her groceries was $137.

“At the time, I did not know they were her grandkids,” Maria told The Epoch Times. “She was using a SNAP [government assistance] card to pay for the groceries, and it stated it only had $19 left on it.”

Hearing this, the woman was completely unaware and shocked to know that she had only that much money left on her card.

“She said she would have to put all the groceries back, besides a few items for dinner,” Maria said.

Despite the fact that the sum was a stretch for her. “l felt something telling me to pay,” Maria recalled. “My heart hurt for this woman and especially the two kids. I wanted them to have groceries.”

Initially, the woman was embarrassed and reluctant to accept help, but Maria insisted, settled the bill, and bagged the groceries, which included bread, butter, fruit, a rotisserie chicken, and snacks for the kids.

After paying for the woman, Maria went on with her day and never expected to hear from her again. She also didn’t tell anyone about this encounter as she was just happy to have helped someone.

However, a few days later, unbeknownst to Maria, the grateful customer had sent in a survey to her bosses. Amid praise for Maria, the grateful grandmother told of her encounter with Maria, and had written, “God put this young lady at [the] bagging area for us.”

After reading the customer survey letter, the bosses were impressed and reimbursed Maria the $137.

Reflecting back on her kind act, she shared: “I have done other kind things in the past, even paid for other people’s groceries, but after that, I don’t know what happens to them.

“This time, I got the privilege of knowing what happened to the woman and her two grandkids.”

Kudos to the grandma for filling out the customer survey, and mucho-kudos especially to Maria Balboa.

5/22/22

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