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While many of us keep a slower pace during the summer months, our food pantry is as busy as ever. With schools closed and kids and teens home during the day, the demand for our food pantry increases.
According to a study conducted by the Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham, the number of food-insecure households is rising:
- 37 percent of Massachusetts households faced food insecurity in 2024, compared to 34 percent in 2023.
- 40 percent of food-insecure households reported forgoing necessary medical, dental, or prescription care.
With rising demand and uncertainty surrounding federal funding, we hope you'll consider making a gift today.
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Your donation will help support our Needham neighbors.
With gratitude,
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Welcome, Stephanie Knoch
The Council is pleased to welcome Stephanie to our team.
In the coming months, the Needham Community Council is launching a new program supporting caregivers assisting someone with dementia or Alzheimer's, and Stephanie is leading this program.
Stephanie brings more than two decades of experience across diverse roles and industries. She recently earned her master’s degree in clinical social work from Simmons University. Her professional background includes a two-year internship at the Needham Senior Center, where she provided weekly counseling sessions, case management, and social service referrals. Her diverse background, energy, commitment to community service, and compassion will be invaluable in supporting our mission!
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Congratulations, Stacie Shapiro!
We are thrilled to share that our Development Associate, Stacie Shapiro has been named a "Commonwealth Heroine" by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Nominated by Rep. Josh Tarsky, Stacie was recognized for her impact on our community and her commitment as a “consummate advocate.” We are grateful for the passion and energy she brings to Needham, raising awareness and sparking meaningful discussions. Congratulations, Stacie, on this well-deserved honor!
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Celebrate With a Purpose!
Looking for a meaningful way to honor a birthday, holiday or milestone? Needham Community Council Honor Cards let you celebrate someone special while supporting neighbors in need. Each card is a gift that gives back to our community!
Honor. Celebrate. Support!
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Partnerships
The Council is always grateful for our team of “neighbors helping neighbors.” Here are a few highlights from this month:
🌟 Thank you to the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club for awarding the Council a generous grant to support our work!
🌟 First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist hosted a free “Music on the Lawn” concert and encouraged attendees to support the Council. Thank you for thinking of us and for your generous donation!
🌟Thank you to the Rotary Club of Needham for providing complimentary tickets to the 9th annual Needham Carnival for our food pantry customers.
| | English Language Learning | | | |
ELL Student becomes United States Citizen
Congratulations to new U.S. citizen and ELL program participant Angela Guttuso, and to her dedicated tutor, Lisa Burns!
Your hard work and commitment together made this day possible. We are so proud of you both! This milestone reflects the power of neighbors helping neighbors and the difference our ELL program makes in people’s lives.
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Know Your Rights
On June 24th, 18 ELL tutors and Council staff members gathered for a Know Your Rights presentation by MIRA affiliated National Guild lawyers Jesse Grove and Eliza Lockhart-Jenks. Attendees were given an update on immigration policies and identified resources to share with individuals with immigration-related questions. Anyone interested in this topic can find the presentation material on the MIRA website miracoalition.org.
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Planning for Fall
Fall ELL classes and conversation groups start the week of September 15th. Registration will take place in August.
New ELL tutor training fall dates are October 8th, 15th and 22nd. Sign up for training to become an ELL tutor!
Please email ELL Program Manager, Sheila Roberts, or call (781) 444-2415 with any questions.
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Mobile Market
This summer and fall, the food pantry is we’re expanding our reach. In addition to regular food pantry visits, the Council, in partnership with the Needham Community Farm, will once again bring fresh, healthy food directly to our neighbors through our Mobile Market, operating every Tuesday and Thursday.
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Technical Assistance
Center on Aging (CATH)
Tech Support is all summer at CATH! Tuesdays and Thursdays 1-3 pm. Make a 20-minute appointment by calling Aicha at (781) 455-7555.
Needham Housing Authority
There is support all summer!
*July:
Linden/Chambers – Wednesday, July 16th, 2-3 pm
Seabeds Way – Wednesday, July 23rd, 2-3 pm
*August:
Linden/Chambers – Wednesday, August 20th, 2-3 pm
Seabeds Way – Wednesday, August 27th , 2-3 pm
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Lucky Duck Sale
Thurs., July 10th - Sat., July 12th
Want to save money? Then flock to our store! If you are down to shop, then shake your tail feather, to our Lucky Duck Sale July 10th - 12th, no matter the weather.
You'll scratch a duck card for a discount off your bill!
Remember when you buy from us it feels like a steal,
Cause ya know what we say...
You Can't Duck a Deal!!
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Thriftmas in July
Mon., July 21st - Fri., July 25th
Move over Prime Day!
It’s time for some REAL savings during Thriftmas in July!
You don’t need a giant Santa on a sled deciding whether you are naughty or nice. When you shop at the Council Thrift you automatically get on the nice list because you are giving back to the Community!
So if you feel gifty, it’s time to get Thrifty!
At the Council Thrift:
We will have all kinds of special finds for you both in-store and online from July 21st – July 25th! When you shop in store, you can turn over one of our rubber ducks to uncover 10-50% off your total purchase.
Facebook Auctions:
For online savings, check out our Facebook page where we will post auction items each day for our members to bid on in the comments section.
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Monthly Volunteer Spotlight
We are truly grateful for the kind, thoughtful, and professional efforts of our volunteer community—without them, the work we do wouldn’t be possible. We value and appreciate every volunteer who gives their time and energy to serve our neighbors.
This month, the Council is pleased to highlight Judy Sudhalter. Judy began volunteering at the Council Thrift in March 2019 and has dedicated over 1,200 hours to the store! She calls the Council her “happy place,” and she makes the store a happy place for our customers with her enthusiastic smile and energy. Thank you, Judy, for all that you do to support the Council and the community!
| | Important Dates and Hours | | | |
Council Thrift & Donation
Summer Hours
Monday 10 am - 4 pm
Tuesday & Thursday 10 am - 6 pm
Friday 10 am - 12 pm
Saturday 10 am - 2 pm
Closed Wednesday & Sunday
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Office
Summer Hours
Monday - Thursday
8:30 am - 4 pm
Friday
8:30 am 12 pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday
| | Neighbors Helping Neighbors | | | |
Needham Carnival: July 24–27
Brought to you by the Rotary Club, the Needham Carnival is coming to Needham High School with fun for all ages—kiddie rides, thrill rides, midway games, and classic carnival treats.
We are grateful to the Rotary Club for providing complimentary tickets to the Needham Community Council, allowing many of our food pantry customers to enjoy the carnival this summer.
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Needham Community Council
570 Hillside Avenue
Needham, MA 02494
781-444-2415
office@needhamcouncil.org
Connect with us
| | The Needham Community Council is a private 501(C)3 non-profit organization which supports people in Needham who have under-met health, educational or social needs, and promotes volunteerism, community and a sense of shared responsibility. | | | | |
