West Orange Scout Is Building ‘Little Food Pantries’ For Community

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A senior at West Orange High School is on a mission to build three “mini food pantries” in town to fight food insecurity.

Troop 2 Boy Scout Brandon Chen recently built and installed two new Little Food Pantries in town to help with food insecurity. He has one more to go as part of his Eagle Scout project, according to a news release from the school district.

Two pantries have been installed so far, one at the Community House on Main Street and the other at the Fire House on Valley Road. A third location is yet to be determined.

“During the pandemic, I witnessed significant food insecurity and wanted to be part of filling that need,” Chen said. “It was especially important to me that these were placed in locations accessible by foot for those in need.”

“This project for the West Orange community would not have been possible without the support of the Holy Trinity-West Orange Food Pantry, Mayor Susan McCartney and Lou Reynolds from the Department of Public Works helping to identify and secure locations,” he added.

West Orange residents can also do their part, administrators said: the food pantry has committed to checking the two pantries, but needs the community’s help filling them on a regular basis.

In addition to his Scouting accomplishments, Chen plays first single for the WOHS varsity tennis team and is also a varsity fencer. He’s a member of the National Honor Society and the French, science and math honor societies. Chen is president of the Computer Coding Club and vice-president of the Asian Culture Club. In the spring, he volunteers for Mountaintop League baseball. He plans on pursuing studies in computer engineering in college, with possible minors in aeronautics and history.

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