June News & Updates
Extracurricular Youth Scholarships
Available Now!
With the help of a generous donor, the Needham Community Council is offering a limited scholarship program to assist with the cost of your students' extracurricular activities. Whether it's music, clubs, athletics, driver's education or day camp, we may be able to help.
Before making a request, we ask that you check if the program you are interested has a scholarship. We can often fill in the remaining cost of the program, but you must check with the program first. More details and how to apply can be found here or by picking up an application in the office.

Funds will be available beginning July 1st.
Mobile Market is Back!

Join the Needham Community Farm and the Council food pantry right in your back yard beginning June 7th. With a wide range of vegetables and expanded food choices, stop in at one of these locations!

Capt. Robert Cook Drive
Tuesdays, 5pm - 5:30pm

Seabeds
Tuesday 5:30pm - 6pm

Linden & Chambers
Friday 3 pm - 3:30 pm
Needham Farmers Market Opening Soon
Needham Farmers Market opens on Sunday, June 12th. Your SNAP dollars can be use to purchase vegetables at the market. What better way to select fresh and healthy food for your household?

When you purchase healthy food with your SNAP benefits, you may apply for HIP - Healthy Incentives Programs to get money put back on your SNAP account. For more information see this website:
Do you have your food delivered?
Please complete & return the Self-Certification Form
Over the next month we have been updating our records.
If you have your food delivered, you should have received a form in your box with an envelope to return it completed. If you have not already, please complete the form and send it back as soon as possible.

This data will be used for record keeping ONLY and your information will be kept private.

We thank you for your cooperation!
Tech & Tutors

Tablets and Tutors is expanding to support technologies beyond the Amazon Fire Tablet!  Our staff and volunteers are committed to empowering our residents to use technology by making it fun and user-friendly.  We want to make technology your friend!

We will be putting Linden/Chambers and Seabeds community room visits on hold for the Summer, but if you would like to obtain a customized Fire Tablet or one-on-one tutoring at the Council, please call Stacey at 781-444-2415.  
Thrift Store News
June is Candy Month
We are celebrating with a SWEET deal for all our Thrift Store members. If you are not already a member, be sure to join!

Coming Soon!
Look for information on our Loyalty Program coming soon,
the more you shop, the more you save!


Summer Hours begin Friday, June 17th

Closing at Noon on Fridays
We still have Covid-19 Tests Available
Covid is on the rise, and we have free COVID-19 rapid tests available for our Food Pantry customers. Please call the office to pick up your test kit at 781-444-2415 or ask us to include it with your next food pantry pick up.
Thank you for Reading!
Yes! We are still excited to have you reading the newsletter and want to reward you with a gift card! Continue to read and enter to win - every week 10 lucky customers will win a gift card to a local business.

Winners will be notified via email around the 10th of the month.


Walk 'n Talk for English Language Learners
All Levels! Free
Meet fellow English language learners and practice English while getting exercise and fresh air. All levels welcome! This activity is for adults, but you are welcome to bring children along. We will walk for 40-60 minutes and return to our starting point. 
 
RSVP appreciated, but not required. Questions? Email jtovar@needhamcouncil.org. or call 781-444-2415. 
 
Thursday, June 2nd
10 am at Needham Reservoir Trail
484 Dedham Ave, Needham
(DPW Building)
It's Not Too Late To Make a Splash!
Park & Rec Pool Passes and
Discounted Classes
Spring-Summer recreation is just around the corner. Our food pantry customers may qualify for discount summer programs, including the Pool Passes through Needham Parks & Recreation.

Steps to getting a pool pass and discounted classes:


  • At the same time you need to set up an account with the Parks & Rec at www.needhamprograms.com (please only include family members who are members of our food pantry)

  • Browse the class options and pool details

  • Submit a request for a class and/or pool pass along with your referral form to the email below or go in-person to the Rosemary Pool complex to sign up. parkandrecreation@needhamma.gov

Memberships are all digital that can be stored on an electronic device.

Plan Your Next Food Pantry Visit
Schedule your June Food Pantry Visits NOW
Food Pantry is Closed, Monday, June 20th in celebration of Juneteenth
Kids' Corner

Teddy Bear Toast

Start summer mornings off with a fun, healthy breakfast. All you need is some toast, peanut butter, banana and a few raisins or chocolate chips to brighten your child's day.
Get Cooking!
Kale Chips

4 cups kale
stems removed and torn into large pieces
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Wash and dry kale well. Remove the leaves from the thick stems. Tear into bite-size pieces.

Place kale pieces on cookie sheet.

Drizzle olive oil over kale and then sprinkle with seasonings of choice.

Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until kale is crisp and edges are brown but not burned.

Recipe Tips
Use any salt-free seasoning for a low sodium crunchy snack.
Baked Kale Frittata

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 cup onion, chopped
3 bunches kale, washed and chopped
1/4 cup water
12 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat 9 inch round baking pan with cooking spray.

Heat oil in large frying pan. Add onion and saute 3-5 minutes.

Stir in kale and water. Cover and cook 5 minutes and then remove from heat.

In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, milk, cheese, and salt. Blend in kale mixture.

Pour mixture into baking pan. Bake 20 minutes.

Recipe Tips
A frittata is an egg based mixed with a combination of vegetables, cheese, and/or meat.
Hours
Council Thrift & Donation Hours

Monday & Friday 10 am - 4 pm
Tuesday & Thursday 10 am - 6 pm
Saturday 10 am - 2 pm
Office Hours

Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 4 pm
Beginning June 17th, the Council will close at 12 noon on Fridays

Council is closed Monday, June 20th in celebration of Juneteenth
Stay Connected

Needham Community Council
570 Hillside Avenue
Needham, MA 02494
781-444-2415