September News from the Needham Community Council

September 2024

NEEDHAM COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS

Thank you!

Thank you to all our neighbors who have contributed to our "Give Back" to School Program. We received many thank you notes from our food pantry customers.

As one customer said, "The assistance for "Back to School" essentials eased so much stress."

There is still time to give. We're only $1,200 shy of our goal. Please consider making a gift today.

With Gratitude,

They Say that Things Slow Down in the Summer ...

But it was “full steam ahead” at the Council! Thanks to Jeff Dinneen and his Cans for Calcium volunteer crew for collecting their 3 millionth can in August! All proceeds are used to purchase dairy products for our food pantry.

Our Transportation programs continue to make it possible for customers to get to their medical and other important appointments, via our Lyft rides program or our MBTA Subway and Bus Pass program.

We thank the community for its support of our Back-to-School campaign which provided gift cards (nearly 200) to our food pantry customers to purchase school supplies. And the Thrift Store had a very successful Olympic-themed sale, offering “gold”, “silver” and “bronze” discounts to shoppers. Thank you for supporting the Council by shopping at the Thrift!

English Language Learning

ELL is Gearing Up For Fall!

Results of our first program survey are coming in and it is impressive to hear about the long-lasting relationships between many of our tutors and learners.

Tutors are offering to lead many fall conversation groups which will give learners valuable practice time to improve their English speaking skills.

Conversation groups being offered include topics such as American literature, current events, walk & talks, citizenship, everyday English, and short stories. And once again, we will offer a teacher-led class for learners who have no English skills and need extra assistance getting started as they embark on their English learning journey.

Do you know someone who would make a great English tutor? New tutor training will take place on three evenings: Oct 9, 16 and 23 from 6:30-8:00 pm. Being an English language tutor is a rewarding experience and will make a big difference in the life of the learner. Join us!

Food Pantry

Celebrating Cans For Calcium

The Needham Community Council is celebrating this amazing program. Spearheaded by Needham resident, Jeff Dinneen, Jeff and his crew members have collected an astounding 3 million redeemable cans and bottles to benefit the Council's food pantry households. All the food pantry's milk and the majority of the Council's dairy products are funded solely by the "Cans For Calcium" program. Three million cans translate to $150,000 in milk and dairy products. --- a huge undertaking! We are so thankful for Jeff and his crew.

Check out WCVB News Coverage Here

Celebrating Collaboration

Social Workers from the COA and Youth and Family Services will be on-site at the food pantry during the month of September.

In partnership with Needham Bank and Adam Cole, NHS teacher, we are planning our fall Financial Wellness Course geared to our food pantry customers and ELL students.

Thank you, Needham partners!

The Council Thrift

Back (Pack) Fortunes Sale!

If you spend $20 at the Council Thrift between Sept 3rd -7th, you may pick a backpack to open and discover your savings fortune! Maybe you’ll win $15 worth of Jewelry or maybe an extra stamp on your Council Cash Card….who knows what good fortune you’ll have when you shop at the Council Thrift!! All BackPack Fortune Coupons are redeemable until the end of this September.

We are so fortunate to have such wonderful customers that shop, save and support the Needham Community – Thank You for your patronage!

Community News

Art Exhibit Supporting the Council

We invite you to visit "Close to Home," a show of paintings by Nancy Present-Van Broekhoven and Yvonne Unger exhibiting at the Christ Episcopal Church. With gratitude, 20% of all sales will be donated to the Food Pantry.

Where:

Community Art Gallery @ Christ Episcopal Church

1132 Highland Avenue, Needham (Across from Needham Library)

When:

September 4 – October 31, 2024

Hours:

M- F 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Sundays 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Hours

Council Thrift & Donation Hours

Monday 10 am - 4 pm

Tuesday & Thursday 10 am - 6 pm

Friday 10 am - 4 pm

Saturday 10 am - 2 pm

Closed Wednesday

Office Hours

Monday - Friday

8:30 am - 4 pm

Closed Saturday & Sunday

Sandra Robinson

Executive Director

Stacey Fallon

Director of Volunteers

Maureen Callahan

Development and PR Director

Meet Our Staff

Meet Our Board

Needham Community Council

570 Hillside Avenue

Needham, MA 02494

781-444-2415

office@needhamcouncil.org

Connect with us

Visit Our Website

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.