Westhampton Teen Offers Food Delivery for Those In Need

The Covid-19 virus pandemic has changed much of daily life including access to essential needs like food.

With all schools closed on Long Island, people who relied on free and reduced meal programs through local school are still able to access those meals, with school districts creating curbside pick-up programs across the South Fork.

But with food pantries overwhelmed, what about the others — those who do not have the ability to get to a local school to take advantage of the aid?

That is where one Westhampton Beach teen decided to step in. Taylor Gallarello, 16 and a junior at Westhampton Beach High School, posted on social media accounts last week an offer to deliver homemade sandwiches to those in need in her community. Using sanitary guidelines, including gloves, Taylor created bagged lunches for those who reached out.

“Not many people needed my help with it because many schools offer grab and go lunches, but I figured for the kids who can’t get a ride to the school for a meal, I could help with that. So far, I have delivered five sandwiches to a family in East Moriches,” said Taylor in an interview on Friday. She plans to continue the effort for the time being for anyone who reaches out.

This is not the first time Taylor has dedicated herself to service the community. The varsity lacrosse player is also working on her Gold Award in Girl Scouts and was nominated to join the National Honor Society at Westhampton Beach High School.

While she has only made five sandwiches as of right now, those sandwiches have provided five meals that a family would not have had otherwise, noted the 16 year-old, who is working on her Gold Award for the Girl Scouts and has been nominated for National Honor Society in her school.