Food Pantry Updates

We have updated our list of items that are in a typical box and items that are available to order. As you put together your next food pantry order, please review this list and share your preferences with us. We will do our best to fulfill your order and meet your needs.

How do I Make an Order?

On the Sign-Up Form, after you select your appointment time, follow the instructions on the diagram here to write what you Do Want and what you Do Not Want included in your order.

You may also call us to make an appointment and ask us to add the notes to your order: call 781-444-2415.

New food pantry appointment times become available mid-month.

Plan you visits early and check the Sign Up Genius for best selection.

On occasion the items you receive will be close to or beyond the “sell by” date. There is confusion over what the different dates on the food really mean. That date often does not mean the the food is spoiled, only that it is not at it’s best.



We’ve compiled a Fact Sheet that can help explain what the different dates mean:

We Heard You

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Food Pantry survey. We appreciate the feedback and are always looking for ways to improve. When COVID impacted our community, in order to keep us all safe, we closed to shopping inside the food pantry. We've made the decision to continue with this model so that we may continue to feed the number of people that need our help.

Since Covid, we've doubled the number of food pantry visits with a typical food distribution day serving up to 60 Needham households, about 12- 16 households per hour. We have over 300 households that depend on us for food. If we were to go back to shopping inside the pantry, we could not serve everyone and would need to cut the number of times you visit to once a month. We will do our best to make your food pantry visit suit your needs and appreciate your patience and understanding.

Reading the Newsletter

Gift Cards Drawings are BACK!

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, read your email and find the link!

Free Rotary Club

Pancake Breakfast

We have a limited number of Pancake Breakfast tickets available on a first come first serve basis. Please call the office early to reserve them. Actual tickets can be picked up later in March for those who have a reservation.

April 1st

Newman School

7 am - 11 am

Come Grow with Needham Community Farm

SCHEDULE YOUR MARCH FOOD PANTRY VISITS NOW

New spots become available around the 16th of each month, be sure to book you food pantry appointments early for best selection.

Celebrate the Luck of the Season

with a Shamrock Hat

What you need:

• paper plate
• pencil
• scissors
• green marker or paint

On a dinner-size paper plate, draw a circle about 1-3/4 inches in from the edge.

Fold the plate in half, then draw half of a shamrock shape along the fold inside the circle, with the base of the shape touching the line.

Cut out the shape and the head hole along the curved line.

Bend up the shape.

Have your child try on the hat, and widen the head hole as needed.

Decorate the hat with paint, crayon, markers, or glitter

Shepard's Pie

1 tsp salt

3 large (1 1/2 to 2 pounds) potatoes , peeled and quartered

1 stick butter, divided

1 medium onion, chopped

1 to 2 cups mixed vegetables, such as diced carrots, corn, or peas

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1/2 cup broth - any kind

Pepper and/or other seasonings of choice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Boil potatoes until tender. Drain and mash with 1/2 of butter. Season with salt & pepper.

Melt remaining butter in a pan, cook onions and vegetables until tender

Add ground beef and cook through. Add broth. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, adding more broth if necessary to keep the meat from drying out.

Spread the meat mixture in an even layer in a 9 x 13 casserole or pan. Spread mashed potatoes evenly over the top.

Bake about 30 minutes or until browned and bubbling.



Yummy Roasted Cauliflower

Just in time to celebrate Valentine's Day, a festive, easy and yummy treat!

1 head cauliflower - sliced into small florets

2 Tbsp oil

2 Tbsp butter

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp pepper

Preheat the oven to 425˚F

Slice the head of cauliflower into 1/2" thick steaks, breaking up wedges into even, bite-sized pieces.

Add the cauliflower to the center of the baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil and melted butter and toss to combine.

In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, salt, paprika, and pepper for the seasoning. Sprinkle onto cauliflower and toss to evenly coat.

Spread the cauliflower evenly on the baking sheet and bake at 425˚F for 15-20 minutes, until cauliflower crispy and carmelized.

Council Thrift & Donation Hours

Monday & Friday 10 am - 4 pm

Tuesday & Thursday 10 am - 6 pm

Saturday 10 am - 2 pm

Closed Wednesday

Office Hours

Monday - Friday

8:30 am - 4 pm

Closed Saturday & Sunday