Seeing An Issue And Addressing It: Southeast Local Hero

SOUTHEAST, NY — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. Together with Ring, we’re working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Martha Elder, the executive director of Second Chance Foods, who nominated Nora Paladino. The Brewster-based charity is dedicated to rescuing unsold, un-served, and aesthetically imperfect food and distributing it in an effort to reduce food waste and food insecurity. They collect food from farms, grocery stores, restaurants and other purveyors in the Hudson Valley region and distribute it directly to community outreach organizations.

The mini pantry movement is a grassroots, crowdsourced solution to immediate and local need, helping neighbors feed neighbors.

Name: Nora Paladino

State: NY

Home town: Southeast

Hero's job: Volunteer

Relationship to nominee: Nora volunteered with the nonprofit where I am the executive
director.

Reason for recognition: Nora, a rising junior at Brewster High School, created a "little free
pantry" in Brewster, NY this past spring. This is a structure full of nonperishable food items
that are free for anyone who needs them to take. It is open 24/7 and completely
anonymous!

One thing to know: Nora is a wonderful example of someone seeing an issue that needs
addressing, and taking the steps necessary to address that need.

Thank you for all you do, Nora!

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.

Read about other heroes from across New York here.

All photos included in this post are owned by identified third parties who have given Patch the right to use explicitly for the Patch Local Heroes series.