COVID-19 Rapid Tests Available
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We have a limited number of COVID-19 rapid tests available for our Food Pantry customers. They are available on a first come first serve basis - please call the office to reserve your test kit at 781-444-2415.
The US Government is also giving out free COVID-19 tests to every household.
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Extracurricular Help Available |
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Does your child or student in your household hope to take ballet, music, art, drivers education, gymnastics, soccer, other sports or any other extracurricular activity?
The Council recently launched a scholarship program that can help with some of the cost of these activities and programs. Applications are considered on a first come, first served basis and funds are limited. Please apply early and do not hesitate to contact the office with any questions - 781.444.2415.
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Kindness Cakes:
A special birthday cake for your child
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Kindness Cakes has a mission to bring families a bit of happiness through custom-made birthday cakes. Kindness Cakes bakers have watched over and over again just how excited and joyful a child can be when they see and eat their very own custom birthday cake. The goal is to match families in need with a local baker in the Greater Boston area. Each baker will customize a cake just for the special birthday child! Please contact Kindness Cakes directly to arrange a special cake on your child's birthday. |
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Your story is important to us. We would love to hear from you about your experience with any Council program. Your story may inspire others and let them know they are not alone.
We are interested in interviewing our customers to learn more about what brought you to the Council and how we can better help you going forward. If you are able to spend a half hour to talk to us, we would like to invite you in for a one-on-one conversation. If interested, please contact us at 781-444-2415 or email us here.
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February is the month of love and we want you to stay connected with your loved ones and community. So, if you need technology to do that, call us and we will set you up with a new Amazon Fire Tablet or a donated Chromebook.
We also have volunteer tutors available for one-on-one training or you can attend one of the monthly classes in the Community Rooms on Chambers Street and/or Seabeds Way. Check out our list of dates and topics: Community Room Tablets and Tutors Schedule.
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The food pantry customer survey is still open and we need your feedback! What is working? What is not? Where should we make changes? The survey entirely anonymous so please take some time to share your thoughts. Your comments will help us plan for the future.
If you've already completed the survey, thank you. There is no need to do it again
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As the days get colder, the heating bills go up! We continue to support the Town of Needham and the Gift of Warmth program to assist our families with utility bills.
Immediate assistance is available:
Contact Tiffany at the Needham Health Department at 781-455-7940 ext. 217
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SNAP and your Immigration Status |
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Applying for or receiving SNAP does not make you a public charge and will not be considered in a public charge determination. Applying for or receiving SNAP will not affect your ability to:
- Remain in the United States,
- Get a Green Card/Permanent Legal Resident Status,
- Keep a Green Card/Permanent Legal Resident Status, or
- Become a U.S. Citizen.
You can also apply for SNAP on behalf of the eligible immigrants or U.S. citizens in your family, even if you do not want to apply for benefits for yourself, without affecting your or their immigration status. For example, if a parent is not eligible for SNAP because of their immigration status, they can still apply for their eligible children. The SNAP office is not allowed to ask for immigration documents for people who are not applying to receive benefits themselves.
If you need food help, and you or members of your household qualify, please apply for SNAP for yourself or your family. Do it for your family's good!
For more information relating to general immigration information in English or in Spanish, please call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283. For general information about SNAP, please call 1-800-221-5689 (English only) or 202-720-2791 (English and Spanish) to be connected to your state's SNAP hotline.
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Community Health Needs Assessment |
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Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham is conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment to better understand the most pressing health-related issues impacting the people living and working in Dedham, Needham, Norwood and Westwood.
Please join us at a virtual Community Listening Session to hear key themes from our assessment, share your perspective, and discuss potential solutions.
Each participant will be eligible for one $100 Visa Gift Card drawing. Please register for one of the sessions at the link below or contact Alyssa Kence (akence@bidneedham.org) with questions.
Community Listening Session Sign-Up:
Feb 8th from 7:30-9 pm
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Enter to win a Gift Card
Important news about the Food Pantry will be in the each monthly newsletter. We want to reward you for reading the newsletter by entering you in a drawing to win a gift certificate.
Each month look for a new link to enter yourself in the drawing, so read your email and find the link!
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Plan Your Next Food Pantry Visit |
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Schedule your February Food Pantry Visits NOW |
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Food Pantry Hours Changes
Monday, February 21st- Closed for Presidents' Day
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Chickpea Sloppy Joe Casserole
8 oz mushrooms
3 cloves garlic
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tsp oil
1 pound ground turkey
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tsp mustard
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Baked topping
2/3 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
2 tsp butter, room temperature
1 large egg, whisked
1/2 cup milk
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
Blend together mushrooms, garlic, carrots and onion until smooth. Add a little water if it is still chunky, you want the vegetables to become a paste for the sauce.
Add oil to skillet cook ground turkey over medium heat until fully cooked Add pureed vegetables, ketchup, mustard, salt and pepper. Cook until warmed through. Stir in chickpeas.
Make the topping. In a small mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add butter, egg and whisk until smooth. The batter will be thick.
Pour turkey mixture into a casserole dish, Pour baking mix over turkey and smooth out to create flat top.
Bake 15-20 minutes until top layer is cooked through and golden brown. Let cook and serve.
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Frittata
(great for any left over vegetables)
8 oz meat of your choice
(sausage, bacon, ground meat, or none)
3-4 cups chopped vegetables of your choice
(mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, peppers,
anything you have left over in the fridge)
8 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt & pepper
2/3 cup shredded cheese (your choice of type)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-10 inch pie dish and set aside.
Cook up chopped meat of choice until crispy and fully cooked. Set aside but keep a bit of the grease in the pan. Sautee vegetables in the same pan until they are cooked through.
Whisk together eggs, milk, onion powder, garlic powder until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine meat, vegetables, cheese and egg mixture and pour into prepared pie plate.
Bake until set all the way through, about 30-35 minutes.
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Council Thrift & Donation Hours
Monday & Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Tuesday & Thursday 10 am - 6 pm
Saturday 10 am - 2 pm
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Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 4 pm
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Monday, February 21st - Closed for Presidents' Day |
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Needham Community Council
570 Hillside Avenue
Needham, MA 02494
781-444-2415
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