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Hello Supporters,
Recent cuts to SNAP and Medicaid are deeply impacting our neighbors facing food insecurity. Families already making tough choices between food, healthcare, housing, and other essentials are now under even more strain.
Since last August, visits to our food pantry have increased by 15%. Rising food costs and the loss of federal support have made sustaining our fresh-first pantry more challenging. To continue meeting the growing need in our community, we are asking for your help. Your donation will directly support our Needham neighbors. Please consider giving today.
With gratitude,
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"Give Back" to School
Many of our food pantry families are facing tough choices between food, healthcare, housing, and other essentials. You can help ease their burden as the new school year approaches by supporting our Council’s “Give Back” to School program.
Your donation will help equip over 200 learners—from young children to adults in continuing education—with the supplies they need to start the school year strong. Through this program, every student in our food pantry households will receive a gift card, allowing families to purchase what they need most for school.
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Welcome, Carol Oberle
Please welcome Carol Oberle to the Needham Community Council Board of Directors. Carol, will serve as the Board's treasurer.
Carol has called Needham home for over 20 years, raising her three daughters here and staying actively involved in their schools and community activities through the PTCs. Now semi-retired, Carol spent her career as a CPA working as a controller in the software industry. She is a former board member at the Needham Congregational Church and currently teaches yoga locally through Needham’s Adult Education and Park & Recreation programs. We are thrilled that Carol has joined the Board.
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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:
🥫 Appcast collected food for our pantry, and some employees made generous financial donations.
🧴 Dignity Matters and Hope & Comfort regularly provide hygiene products that help supplement the food supplies we offer to pantry customers.
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🧶 Elissa’s Creative Warehouse Saturday Night Knitting Group donated 42 lbs. of food to our pantry.
We thank them all for their efforts!
| | Dementia Care Partners Support | | | |
Programming Officially Launches in September!
As you may know, the Council is launching a new program — Dementia Care Partners Support, led by Stephanie Knoch, MSW. This community-centered initiative is designed to empower, educate, and support those caring for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Recognizing the vital role care partners play, the program fosters resilience, reduces isolation, and promotes well-being through peer connection, practical education, and inclusive community engagement. We invite you to read Sandra Robinson’s letter announcing this much-needed program and sharing why it will make such a difference in our community.
| | | English Language Learning | | |
Meet ELL Tutor, Martha!
Martha completed her ELL tutor training in the summer of 2011 and has been tutoring ever since.
“The role is fulfilling for many reasons. I see the moment when a student realizes they understand a new language—and I get to be part of that journey. I also feel I’m giving back; someone once helped each of my immigrant grandfathers learn English. And it’s fun!
This past school year, I led conversational classes with seven advanced/intermediate students—all women, all kind, caring, and respectful. I knew the class was a success when they began listening closely to one another, asking questions, and laughing together.
Over the years, I’ve worked with students from Iran, Haiti, Israel, Russia, Belarus, Poland, China, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Morocco. Some presented more challenges than others, but I wouldn’t have skipped a single one. ELL prepared me well.”
Interested in becoming an ELL tutor? Email Sheila Roberts at sroberts@needhamcouncil.org to register for Fall 2025 Tutor Training.
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Technical Assistance
Center at the Heights (CATH)
Tech Support is available all summer at the CATH on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-3 pm. Make a 20-minute appointment by calling Aicha at (781) 455-7555.
Needham Housing Authority
Linden/Chambers – Wednesday, August 20th, 2-3 pm
Seabeds Way – Wednesday, August 27th, 2-3 pm
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Jaws Sale
Aug 21, 22 & 23
You're going to need a bigger shopping bag! To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the movie JAWS, we are having a JAWS sale! So, when you buy $25 or more in store, we will take a bite out of your bill by taking 20% off your total purchase!
Come and Shop, Save, Support the Needham Community Council.
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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 Evelyn Adlerstein. Evelyn began volunteering in May 2014 in the front office. The Council loves the smiles and warmth she brings to help us with our transportation programs, phone calls and in-kind donations. Thank you, Evelyn, 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
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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. | | | | |
