Neel Jain — Westview High School, Beaverton, OR

Neel Jain started a free grocery delivery service during the COVID-19 pandemic. He created PDX Concierge, enlisted a team of other volunteers, and launched it after he went grocery shopping for his grandmother, whose age and asthma make her vulnerable to the virus. “I just realized there are a lot of other people who may not have family and need help,” said Jain. So far, his team of volunteers has made hundreds of deliveries in the metro Portland and Vancouver, WA area. Clients filled out a form online with their grocery list and volunteers went to buy the groceries and deliver them. Volunteers maintain social distancing guidelines, wear gloves and face masks while they shop. Clients then reimburse volunteers for the cost of the groceries, which are dropped off in front of their homes. It’s a free service, so tips or donations are used for gas money, maintaining the website and helping pay for groceries for clients who need extra financial assistance. “It’s a great feeling to help out in this hard time,” Jain said. “Kids have a lot of time on their hands with schools being closed. It’s good to be able to put that to use.”