On Friday, June 28th, from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M., members of the AYLUS Roslyn Branch (Remon Cao, Yinshuo Gao, Eric, and Rongcan Gao) volunteered with NOSH Delivers, a nonprofit organization in Port Washington that addresses food insecurity throughout Nassau County. NOSH provides free groceries and produce to underserved individuals and families by partnering with local farms, suppliers, and food banks.
Our tasks for the day focused on operational support and direct food distribution. One of our primary responsibilities was restocking the pantry shelves inside the NOSH warehouse. This involved organizing and refilling shelves with canned goods, boxed items, grains, and other staples, ensuring all products were sorted by type and labeled clearly for easy packing later. Keeping the shelves orderly and fully stocked plays an important role in ensuring smooth food deliveries and pickups.
We also worked on breaking down large volumes of cardboard boxes used for previous shipments and deliveries. This task was important for clearing space in the facility and preparing materials for recycling. Flattening and sorting the boxes helped maintain an efficient, safe, and sustainable work environment.
In the final part of our shift, we managed NOSH’s “farmer’s market” station. We distributed fresh produce to members of the local community, allowing each person to pick from a variety of fruits and vegetables, including apples, onions, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, mangoes, and loaves of bread. In addition to handing out the produce, we made sure the display tables were kept neat and fully stocked. We also answered questions and provided guidance to help visitors navigate the produce selection.
Throughout the day, we interacted with many community members, all of whom were polite and thankful. Volunteering at NOSH reminded us that behind every can of beans or bag of tomatoes is a person or family that benefits from it. Even seemingly routine tasks like breaking down boxes or organizing shelves contribute to the larger goal of supporting those in need.
This experience reinforced the value of teamwork, efficiency, and compassion. We were proud to work alongside NOSH to help strengthen our community and look forward to future volunteer opportunities.
Members who participated include:
Remon Cao (3 hours), Yinshuo Gao (3 hours), Eric Xiong (3 hours), Rongcan Gao (3 hours)
Reporter: Remon Cao
