In 2019, Pelham Together was gifted Nancy’s Ice Cream Truck with the intention of creating a youth-run, adult-supervised ice-cream business. What an opportunity to elevate our youth, expose them to real skills and paid work, and also bring back Pelham’s beloved vintage ice-cream truck! The project was originally called Project Nancy, in honor of the owner of the truck for decades. The teens met regularly to iron out every detail, from logo and name, to ice cream selections, pricing, party bookings, hiring, and marketing. They worked in committees, with adult guides for assistance. They did all this and launched the business in May 2020, in the middle of a pandemic.

This ongoing business operates from April to October, and we just completed our second successful season. There are two lead teen managers who handle customer service for party bookings, inventory management, and accounts receivable. Additionally, teens are hired to work the parties, requiring them to be on time, properly dressed, and representing the business. Each season, there is automotive work that requires fundraising. Some of the priorities for the upcoming season will require that the teen's’ conduct an inventory analysis and manage the re-hiring and training of new staff.

So far Pelicones has been a hit at over 80 local birthday and block parties, culminating in the 2021 Homecoming Football game as our season-closing event. The business plan going forward includes expansion to cover local sports events and day camps. Maybe, one day, you’ll even hear our bell driving up your block! All proceeds from Pelicones supports all Pelham Together programming, including paid positions for our teens.

To help support Pelham Together’s work with a donation, please click here.

Any high school student who would like to join the Pelicones team should send an email to pelicones@pelhamtogether.org.