Teen Honored For Delivering Meals To The Hungry By Bike

LARCHMONT, NY — A Larchmont teenager who organized his friends to help deliver meals to the needy in Port Chester through Meals on Main, was honored for finding a unique solution to a stubborn logistical issue for the organization where he volunteers.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer presented Nolan James with the 2021 J.R. Tesone Youth Public Health Service Award in a virtual ceremony on Thursday for his work helping to ease food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic-related downturn. James was nominated by Executive Director of Meals on Main Street/Caritas of Port Chester Bill Cusano.

“Nolan rose to the challenge during the pandemic by organizing a group of friends to deliver meals to families in need by bicycle each Thursday during the summer and on Saturdays during the school year,” Cusano said.

It wasn’t just James’s hard work that inspired Cusano to nominate the Rye Country Day School junior for the public health service award which was created in 2014 in memory of Westchester County Board of Health member J.R. Tesone.

When Nolan noticed the paper bags the volunteer bike couriers used to deliver hot meals didn’t hold up very well under the demanding outdoor conditions, he started a collection drive to gather more durable Fresh Direct bags for use in deliveries. James’s efforts soon led to a lasting partnership between the company and Meals on Main Street.

“We received over 1000 bags, and we are still using them for deliveries now,” James said. “After such a great experience with the Fresh Direct bags, I reached out to the CEO of FreshDirect asking for potential partnership opportunities. He put me in touch with the chief marketing officer, and after a few calls we determined we would be receiving bags to use for delivery, along with a $500 donation.”

Meals on Main Street/Caritas of Port Chester is a 501(c)3 charitable organization with a mission to eliminate food insecurity in Port Chester and the surrounding areas by providing healthy food and support services through a network of volunteers and partner organizations. For more information on Meals on Main Street/Caritas of Port Chester, to volunteer or to donate, please visit Meals on Main Street here.