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Dear neighbors,
With summer around the corner, the Council is adjusting its focus. While many of our programs are utilizing this quieter season to plan for busier months ahead, both Dementia Care Partners Support and the Food Pantry are actively scaling up operations to meet immediate community needs.
We are thrilled to announce that the Council is now offering our Memory Café twice a month, thanks to our wonderful partnerships with BID Needham, the Needham Public Library, and the Needham Council on Aging. Attendance has been incredible and continues to grow each month, clearly demonstrating a profound need for this resource in our community.
Summer can also be a stressful time for local families due to rising grocery costs, reduced benefits, and the loss of school meal programs. To help, our Mobile Market is teaming up with the Needham Community Farm again this season to visit Needham Housing Authority neighborhoods. Best of all, the market is completely open to all food pantry families. We currently have volunteer openings to help run the market. If you are interested in lending a hand, please email me directly.
Meeting the increased summer demand for grocery assistance and caregiver support is truly a collaborative effort. While our wonderful local partners help us expand our reach, your donations are what make these programs possible. Please consider making a gift today to help us support our Needham neighbors all summer long.
With gratitude,
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Sandra Robinson
Executive Director, Needham Community Council
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Welcome, Cory
We are thrilled to welcome Cory Fanelli to the Community Council staff!
Cory is stepping into the Office Support and Client Services role. She brings a fantastic blend of energy, insight, and expertise that will undoubtedly strengthen our team and enhance the support we provide to our community.
Cory has already been hard at work training alongside Mary Ellen and Sue to learn the ropes and get up to speed. You can find her in the office on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We are incredibly excited to have her on board!
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Wishing Mary Ellen a Happy Retirement!
After years of dedicated service, our wonderful Office Manager, Mary Ellen, has officially retired. Mary Ellen has been the heart of our office; her signature calmness, warmth, patience, and kindness have been an incredible asset to the Council and our mission. She truly embodied the belief that every day brings a new opportunity. Please join us in raising a toast to Mary Ellen.Thank you for everything, and may this next chapter bring you endless joy!
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Hearts Full of Gratitude! ❤️
We are incredibly grateful for the amazing individuals and groups who continue to step up for the Council and our food pantry. A huge thank you to:
Needham Boy Scouts: Collected a whopping 858 lbs. of food during their recent "Scouting for Food" drive!
Needham Muslim Neighbors: Provided vital support to ensure our pantry could offer halal-certified meat for families celebrating Eid al-Adha.
Needham Department of Public Works: Gathered 136 lbs. of food and essential household goods through its "Fill-a-Truck" food drive.
Thank you all for your incredible support and for helping us feed our neighbors!
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Food Pantry Update: Join Our Team! 🚴♀️🏃♂️
Hosted by Three Squares New England, the Ride and Stride for Food is a family-friendly fall event centered around fighting food insecurity.
Currently, our food pantry is serving over 400 households in Needham, which is a 14% increase over last year. We need your help to meet this growing demand! Join the Council Team to raise critical funds to
help us continue to feed our neighbors.
Event Details:
When: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Where: Noble and Greenough School, Dedham
Our Goal: Recruit 20 walkers/striders to raise $350 each (100% of proceeds go directly to the Council!).
Early Bird Perk: Sign up before August 1st and save $35 on registration!
👉 Click Here to Sign Up & Join Our Team
Have questions? Please contact Maureen Callahan at 781-444-2415 x2170 or mcallahan@needhamcouncil.org.
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Volunteers Needed
We are looking for a few dedicated volunteers to help support our food security programs. If you have some time to spare, we would love to have you on our team!
1) Mobile Market 🚙
Help us take the Food Pantry "on the road!" The Council partners with the Needham Community Farm to bring fresh vegetables and expanded food choices directly to Public Housing communities.
When: Tuesdays from 3:00 – 4:00 pm and Thursdays from 5:00 – 5:30 pm.
2) Target Pick-Up Volunteer 🛒
Come along with us to help load and unload donation pickups.
When: Thursday mornings. There is flexibility. It usually takes a little over an hour and timing is between 9:00 - 11:00 am.
Ready to Help? If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please email Sandra Robinson to get started!
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| | Dementia Care Partners Support | | |
Memory Cafes - Now Twice A Month
Memory Cafés are 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, June 23 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Needham Public Library
Activity: Musical Memories with John and Linda. Talented brother-and-sister duo John and Linda will perform popular favorites from the 1950s through the 1980s, featuring beautiful vocal harmonies and acoustic guitar accompaniment. See the flyer for more details.
Memory Cafe: Tuesday, July 14 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Needham Public Library
Activity: Music with Ken DoRosario. Join Ken, a musician and board-certified music therapist, for an active and energetic group singing experience. See the flyer for more details.
| To view the ENTIRE Memory Cafe schedule. Please click on this link. |
Care Partner Consultations
These one-on-one sessions are designed to provide support, guidance, and resources for individuals caring for a loved one living with dementia. Care Partner Consultations are available Monday through Friday with Stephanie Knoch, MSW, LCSW, CDCP, and may be held in person, virtually, or by phone. To schedule an appointment or learn more, please contact Stephanie at (781) 444-2415 or sknoch@needhamcouncil.org.
| | | English Language Learning (ELL) | | |
Planning for Fall
New Tutor Training: Are you interested in becoming an ELL tutor? Mark your calendars! 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.
Walk & Talks: Looking to get moving and connect with the community this fall? Join us for our weekly Walk & Talks!
When: Tuesdays from 9:30– 10:30 am
Dates: September: 15, 22, and 29
October: 6, 13, and 20
For more information or to sign up, please contact our ELL Manager, Sheila Roberts.
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New Tech & Tutor Web Page!
We’ve updated our website to give you quicker, easier access to all things digital literacy! Visit our fresh new page to apply for a tablet, check the schedule for our support sessions at the CATH and Needham Housing Authority, or browse our upcoming classes and Tech Teen support and presentations.
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Click on calendar to enlarge.
We invite you to view our calendar for a full list of upcoming sessions or visit our website for more details.
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Tech & Tutors Support
Our Tech & Tutors program is here to help older adults confidently embrace the digital world.
☀️ Tech Teens Summer Break: After Friday, June 12, the Tech Teens are taking a summer recess. They will be back in the fall with new Tech Teen Talks, support sessions, and a Robot Showcase in September!
🗓️ CATH Schedule Update: Check out the new, ongoing support sessions at the CATH on Mondays and Wednesdays.
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Summer Solstice Savings
June 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27
The longest days of the year are here, and we're celebrating with some extra sunshine and savings!
☀️ Scratch the silver dot on our Solstice Card at the register to reveal your surprise discount.
🛍️ Shop. Save. Support.
Every purchase helps fund the programs and services of the Needham Community Council, making a difference right here in our community.
Needham Community Council Thrift Shop is Closed on Wednesdays, and Summer Fridays we close at noon.
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Volunteer of the Month: Vaughn Joy
We are thrilled to recognize Vaughn Joy! Since starting as a substitute last November, Vaughn has jumped right in wherever help is needed. In just a few months, she has already lent her time and bright smile to:
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The Thrift Store: Sorting, pricing, and cashiering.
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Food Security: Staffing Wednesday Food Pantries, Thursday Mobile Markets, and unloading deliveries.
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Education: Up next, training to become an ELL Tutor!
Vaughn consistently goes above and beyond with her trademark positivity. Thank you, Vaughn, for truly bringing joy to the Council family!
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Please note the upcoming holiday closures:
- Friday, June 19: Closed (Juneteenth National Independence Day)
- Friday, July 3 – Saturday, July 4: Closed (Fourth of July Weekend)
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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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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. | | | | |
