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Dear Neighbors,
While many of us look forward to a slower, more relaxing pace during the summer months, our food pantry remains as busy as ever. When school meal programs pause for the summer, the demand on our pantry spikes. Families suddenly face the added strain of filling that gap, making our mission more critical than ever.
If you are looking for ways to support our community during this high-need season, here are a few impactful ways you can help:
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Summer Food Drives: We are always in need of kid-friendly, on-the-go items. Right now, we are looking for mac and cheese, granola bars, peanut butter, rice mixes, juice boxes, protein bars, and Goldfish crackers. Here is a form to get started.
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Monetary Donations: The Council prides itself on being a "fresh-first" food pantry, ensuring our clients have consistent access to fresh produce and lean proteins. Financial donations allow us to purchase these perishable essentials directly. Donate today!
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Cans for Calcium: Planning a summer barbecue? Save your redeemable bottles and cans! The Cans for Calcium program collects these returns at the Needham Transfer Station, and 100% of the proceeds are used to purchase milk for the Food Pantry.
As our new fiscal year begins, I want to extend my deepest thanks for your past generosity, and I look forward to partnering with you once again to support our local families. We simply could not do this vital work without you. I am incredibly proud to live and work in a town like Needham, where we truly come together to take care of our neighbors.
With gratitude,
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Sandra Robinson
Executive Director, Needham Community Council
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FY2026 Program Achievements
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The Backbone of Our Community: Thank You, Volunteers! ❤️
Our volunteers truly are the heart, soul, and backbone of Needham. No matter the season or how hot the weather gets, their dedication to our neighbors never wavers.
We want to give a massive shout-out to the incredible volunteers who dedicated their time to support the town's 4th of July festivities! By stepping up to help the town ensure these events ran smoothly, they showed what community is all about. These deliberate acts of kindness go beyond the walls of the Council, ensuring all of our neighbors could enjoy a truly spectacular Independence Day.
We are so proud of our team for consistently showing up for Needham. Enjoy these pics of our amazing volunteers in action! 📸
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Congratulations, Mindy Kalish
For the past three years, Mindy has been a dedicated and vital part of our Development & PR office. We are absolutely thrilled to announce her promotion to Assistant Director of Development & PR. Please join us in congratulating Mindy and thanking her for her continued commitment to our community!
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With Gratitude ❤️
We are incredibly grateful for the amazing community partners and neighbors who continue to show their support. A huge thank you to:
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Rotary Club: Donated complimentary tickets so our food pantry families can enjoy the upcoming summer carnival.
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Eliot Elementary: Gathered and donated thoughtful snack bags to help kids and families through the summer months.
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Girl Scout Troop 82926: Delivered a massive 136 pounds of essential items directly to the food pantry.
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Sylvia Haber: Volunteered her creative talents to update our youth activity book, highlighting the Council's programs for young families.
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Our Neighbors: Answered the call from our last newsletter to volunteer to help with our Mobile Market and Target pickups.
Thank you all for your incredible support!
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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
Early Bird Perk: Sign up before August 1st and save $35 on registration! Use promo code NCC2026.
Our Goal: Recruit 20 riders and/or walkers to raise $350 each (100% of proceeds go directly to the Council!).
👉 Click Here to Sign Up & Join Our Team. Use promo code NCC2026.
Have questions? Please contact Maureen Callahan at 781-444-2415 x2170 or mcallahan@needhamcouncil.org.
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Call For Summer Food Drives 🍉
When school meals pause for the summer, our food pantry faces its highest demand of the year. We rely heavily on your support to keep our shelves stocked!
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Host a Drive: Organize your neighbors, coworkers, or camp groups.
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High-Priority Items: Mac and cheese, rice mixes, granola bars, juice boxes, peanut butter, and protein bars.
Ready to help? Email us at dev@needhamcouncil.org or signup here 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, 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.
Memory Cafe: Tuesday, July 28 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Where: Needham Public Library
Activity: Poetry with Poet Laureate Anne E.G. Nydam. Like music, poetry has a unique way of tapping into memories and emotions. Join Anne as she shares some of her favorite poems, and work together with the group to create a brand-new collaborative poem. See the flyer for more details.
| 👉To see a detailed schedule, please click on this link. |
Yoga and Meditation for Care Partners
This gentle class offers care partners a supportive, compassionate space for rest, renewal, and self-care. 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.
Led by Needham Community Council Board Member, Carol, sessions are held from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm in the Community Room at the Needham Public Library on the following Mondays: July 20, August 3, 17, & 31, and September 14.
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Care Partner Consultations
These 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.
👉 Click here to view and enlarge the flyer for additional details.
Want to learn more or schedule a session? Please contact Stephanie at (781) 444-2415 or email her directly.
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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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Center On Aging Update
Please note that while the Center on Aging is currently under construction, our regular Tech Assistance sessions are temporarily paused.
Have Questions?
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Visit our website for full scheduling updates and details.
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For any specific inquiries during this construction pause, please contact Program Manager, Karen Zarrow, at kzarrow@needhamcouncil.org.
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Thriftmas in July
Monday, July 20 - Saturday, July 25
Move over Prime Day! It’s time for some REAL savings during Thriftmas in July!
You don’t need a giant Santa on a surfboard deciding whether you are naughty or nice. When you shop at the Council Thrift, you automatically get on the nice list because your purchases directly give back to our community!
We will have all kinds of special finds waiting for you in-store all week long. Plus, when you shop with us in person, you can turn over one of our festive rubber ducks to uncover a surprise 10% to 50% off your total purchase!
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Needham Carnival: July 23–26
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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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. | | | | |
