At Chelsea Heights School in Atlantic City, Nisa McNair is known as a dedicated teacher. Outside of the classroom, she has quietly taken on another role — rooted in compassion, purpose and action.
For the past three years, McNair has organized and prepared meals for people experiencing homelessness around Thanksgiving, Christmas and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. What began as serving 50 people has grown to more than 200. There is no nonprofit, no sponsor and no publicity — just McNair’s vision, funding and effort.
“I am a giver,” she said. “I look for ways to bless people and bring them joy. I’ve always wanted to be committed to my community and when I saw the need to help those less fortunate, I found a way to contribute.”
From the casino to the classroom
Before teaching, McNair spent decades at Resorts Casino. “I started as a casino cashier in 1978,” she said. “I was in college but dropped out because the compensation was so good as a dealer, I couldn’t resist.”
At 45, she returned to school at Atlantic Cape, Stockton and Montclair State to earn her teaching degree. She married in 1995 and raised three children — Tyra, Ahmad and Dujuan — all now grown and successful. That journey — from a long career in the casino industry to becoming an educator and community leader — reflects her determination, growth and commitment to making a difference in the lives of others: first her children, then her students and now the community.
A simple idea becomes a community effort
Three years ago, McNair felt compelled to feed those living without shelter. The logistics are simple but intentional: she buys large quantities of chicken and other supplies, carefully preparing each meal so it is hearty, nourishing and made with dignity. “At first it was just me,” she said. “Then friends joined in.”
Many meals are prepared around the holidays, but the work isn’t tied to the calendar. Recently, the group distributed soup, sandwiches and hot chocolate — meals made with the same care and thoughtfulness as a home-cooked dinner, simply because the need was there.
Friends, teamwork and Thanksgiving meals
Friends now gather at McNair’s home to cook, pack and deliver meals. On the Saturday before Thanksgiving this year, the group prepared 250 meals, each accompanied by desserts, water and juice. Volunteers worked side by side, chopping vegetables, candying yams and carefully packing each bag with warmth and attention.
“Once we’re loaded up, we drive through the community and deliver them directly to people who need a hot meal,” said Tammi Hammi of Galloway, a longtime friend and former casino colleague. “It’s humbling. Seeing Nisa lead this with so much heart and purpose reminds you what community is supposed to look like.”
The group now has T-shirts with the slogan “Thankful to Give, Grateful to Serve” in harvest orange, evoking Thanksgiving with all the trimmings. In their “Chef Nisa and Friends” team photo, you can see the camaraderie and friendship that makes doing good both fulfilling and fun. Volunteers laugh while working, share stories of past deliveries and celebrate the simple joy of helping others.
A heartfelt beginning
“Years ago, for her birthday, Nisa said her only wish was to feed the homeless,” said Rashida Shannon, a resident of Sicklerville and a colleague at Chelsea Heights School. “She started with just two people and over time her team grew to 10 — more than doubling the impact. She hosts multiple outreach events, offering meals like soups, sandwiches and hot chocolate that truly nourish both the body and the soul. Having been part of it, I can honestly say the love behind her work is unmistakable.”
“We all feel this is something God placed on Nisa’s heart,” said Denise Bowles of Egg Harbor Township, McNair’s friend of 17 years from church. “We gather early, pray together and then everyone pitches in. Nisa doesn’t do this for recognition — it’s a calling.”
Beyond meal days, Nisa and Denise also travel together to celebrate birthdays, from New York to Miami, sharing laughter and friendship along the way. Each morning, the whole group begins the day with a 7 a.m. telephone prayer chain that includes callers from across the country (call 978-890-8900, code 891930). Participants take turns sharing messages and reflections and on Thursdays, anyone can speak and share what they’re grateful for. Bowles said, “Starting the day that way helps ground us in gratitude and gives us purpose before the day even begins.”
Extending the mission on MLK Day
McNair also organizes meal distribution on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. “Dr. King believed in giving back and engaging in public service is a hallmark of MLK Day,” she said. “That makes it a perfect day to share what we have, along with our hopes for a better future for those less fortunate than ourselves.” This year, her MLK Day outreach will expand beyond meals to include warm blankets and gift bags, bringing even more comfort to those in need.
Quiet impact, lasting bonds
There is nothing flashy about McNair’s work. No banners, no social media campaigns and until now, no press. If not for a chance conversation at the school where we both work, hundreds of meals might be prepared and delivered without notice — except by those who need them most.
What makes the project especially remarkable is how it brings people together. Longtime friends like Tammi, Denise and Rashida, along with neighbors and colleagues, form a close-knit team motivated by care and shared purpose. Each delivery reinforces the simple yet profound idea that acts of kindness — whether large or small — can ripple outward in measurable ways.
Whether we express it on the Thursday gratitude phone chain or not, we can all be grateful to Nisa and her team. They are walking the walk and showing us how steady, caring efforts can quietly strengthen a community.
Lisa is an advertising copywriter (think “Mad Men” without the men), journalist and columnist. Claim to fame: Lou’s waitress for four teenage summers. For column comments, story ideas, or to get on her “quote list” for future columns: redshoeslzs@gmail.com.
