A Message from our Executive Director | | |
It’s hard to believe that the start of the school year is quickly approaching, even while we remain deeply focused on ensuring the food needs of Needham families are met throughout the summer.
According to Cradles to Crayons, Massachusetts families with school-aged children spent an average of $858 on back-to-school items in 2025, including $143 on non-electronic school supplies and $418 on clothing and footwear.
For families already struggling with rising costs, this added financial burden forces impossible choices between school supplies and basic survival needs like rent or groceries.
Please consider donating to our Give Back to School program today. Your support will help us:
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Provide school supply gift cards to nearly 250 food pantry students.
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Relieve immediate financial stress so caregivers can keep critical resources focused on housing and food.
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Ensure local kids enter the classroom prepared, confident, and ready to learn on day one.
On behalf of the Council, I wish everyone a wonderful rest of the summer and an easy transition into the bustle of fall and the new school year.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
With gratitude,
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Sandra Robinson
Executive Director, Needham Community Council
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We are so Fortunate!
The Council receives incredible support from the community, in so many forms. We’d like to give a shout out to these groups for their generosity:
• The Rotary Club of Needham for generously donating Carnival wristbands so our food pantry customers could enjoy a fun day out.
• Temple Beth Shalom for coordinating a multifaith food drive and donating 276 lbs. of food as well as financial donations.
• Children’s Hospital for hosting food pantry families for a free cooking class at its new Needham test kitchen.
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Ride & Stride For Food 🚴♀️🏃♂️
Join the Council’s team at the Ride & Stride for Food to help raise awareness about hunger in our local communities and to raise funds for the Council’s Food Pantry. Participants can either walk (3.1 miles) or choose to bike a 25-, 50-, or 62-mile route.
Can’t walk or ride? Consider donating to our team to help us achieve our $10,000 fundraising goal. Sign up or donate here.
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Join Us for Empty Bowls at North Hill!
Celebrate North Hill’s 42nd anniversary with us on September 14th — all proceeds benefit the Needham Community Council Food Pantry! Guests will receive a bowl handcrafted in North Hill’s ceramic studio and will sample soups from local restaurants, and vote for their favorite. Every $42 ticket directly supports local families with monthly food assistance and equips local students with back-to-school gift cards. Purchase tickets here.
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Help Cans for Calcium Reach Its Goal of Collecting 5 Million Cans!
Did you know there is a shed at the Needham Recycling and Transfer Station where residents can drop off redeemable cans and bottles?
Jeff Dinneen and his volunteers have sorted and redeemed 4.7 million donated cans and bottles, raising $235,000 to date, which is used to buy fresh milk and dairy products for our food pantry each week. Help them reach their goal of collecting the 5 millionth can by dropping off your redeemable cans and bottles at the shed with the “Cans for Calcium” sign.
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Support Our Give Back to School Program
Right now, the Needham Community Council supports 249 children (ages 18 and under) through our Food Pantry.
Please consider donating to our Give Back to School program today. Your support will support local kids enter the classroom prepared, confident, and ready to learn on day one, as well as relieve the financial burden on our food pantry families.
Please donate today.
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| | Dementia Care Partners Support | | |
Memory Cafes
Welcoming, stigma-free social gatherings where individuals living with dementia and their care partners can relax, connect, and enjoy time together in a supportive environment.
Memory Cafe: Tuesday, August 25 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Needham Public Library
Activity: All are welcome! We are excited to welcome back Art Sullivan, who will lead us in gentle movement, dance, and great music. Registration is requested but not required. See the flyer for additional details. To register or learn more, please contact Program Manager Stephanie Knoch.
| 👉The Memory Cafe is now offered bi-monthly. To see the detailed Memory Cafe schedule, please click on this link. |
Additional Programming
Yoga and Meditation for Care Partners
Where: Needham Public Library, Community Room
When: Mondays: August 17, & 31, and September 14, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Activity: Participants will have the opportunity to calm the mind and relax the body through adapted yoga postures and guided meditation. All skill levels are welcome to join and move comfortably at their own pace. See flyer for additional details.
Care Partner Consultations
One-on-one sessions provide personalized support, guidance, and resources for individuals caring for a loved one living with dementia. Available Monday through Friday with Stephanie Knoch, MSW, LCSW, CDCP, consultations can be held in person, virtually, or over the phone to fit your schedule. Please see flyer for more details.
| | | English Language Learning (ELL) | | |
Planning for Fall
Fall ELL Classes and Conversation Groups start the week of September 15th. Click to view the schedule here.
New Tutor Training: Our upcoming training sessions are scheduled for Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 pm on the following dates: October 14, 21, and 28. Please note: Attendance at all three sessions is required.
Please email ELL Program Manager, Sheila Roberts, or call (781) 444-2415 with any questions.
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Save The Date: Friday, September 18
Hands-On Robotics Showcase
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When: Friday, September 18
Where: Center at the Heights
Activity: Join the Council’s Tech Teens and Needham High School Robotics Club members for a hands-on robotics showcase!
- See student-built robots up close
- Learn how engineering, coding, and teamwork come together.
- Take control of a robot!
| | | To register or learn more, please contact Program Manager Karen Zarrow. | | | | |
End of Summer Sale🛍️
Monday, August 17 & Tuesday, August 18
The more you shop, the more you save!
Spend $50 total and get 50% OFF your purchase!
2 days only!
- Monday, August 17
- Tuesday, August 18.
Proceeds from the sale will go directly to our Needham Community Council programs.
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Volunteer of the Month: John Charters
John has been volunteering with the Needham Community Council since 2020, lending a hand every week in countless ways. Whether making food pantry deliveries to homebound residents, picking up a van full of donations from Target, running the weekly mobile market, or ringing up customers at our holiday sale, you name it, John has done it! He is truly the Swiss Army knife of volunteers. Thank you, John, for everything you do!
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Summer Council Thrift &
Donation 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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Summer Office
Hours
Monday - Thursday
8:30 am - 4 pm
Friday
8:30 am - 12 pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday
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Please be advised that the Council office will be closed on Saturday, September 5th, and Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day.
Following the holiday, we will conclude our summer schedule and resume our regular business hours, including Friday office hours from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
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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. | | | | |
