West Orange High School senior and Troop 2 Boy Scout Brandon Chen has recently built and installed two new Little Food Pantries in town to help with food insecurity, and he has one more to go as part of his Eagle Scout project.

“My project is to install three mini food pantries across needed areas in West Orange,” Brandon began.

“During the pandemic, I witnessed significant food insecurity and wanted to be part of filling that need. It was especially important to me that these were placed in locations accessible by foot for those in need. This project for the WO community would not have been possible without the support of the Holy Trinity-West Orange Food Pantry, Mayor McCartney, and Lou Reynolds from the Department of Public Works helping to identify and secure locations,” he explained.

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. The food pantry has committed to checking the two pantries but needs the community’s help in filling them on a regular basis.

Chen began as Cub Scout with Pack 10 and advanced to Troop 2.

“I’m excited about this year as it is my senior year,” continued Chen.

In addition to being a Boy Scout, Brandon 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.

“I plan on pursuing studies in computer engineering with possible minors in aeronautics and history in college,” he concluded.

Brandon Chen at Community House with his Little Food Pantry

At the Valley Road Firehouse