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Dear neighbors,
Spring has brought a renewed energy to the Council. Our programs are in full bloom, from lively ELL Walks and Talks to well-attended Memory Cafes. We were also inspired by our Tech Teens, who recently hosted a successful robotics showcase at the CATH with the Needham High School Robotics Club. Additionally, it was a joy to recently gather our dedicated volunteers to celebrate their incredible impact on our mission; look for a full recap of that celebration later in this issue.
As we look toward the warmer months, we are preparing for the return of our Mobile Market. In partnership with the Needham Community Farm, the market will visit Needham Housing Authority neighborhoods from June through October. While the market travels for easier access, all food pantry families are welcome to shop for fresh produce and essentials there.
This seasonal support is vital. For many local families, summer brings the loss of school-provided meals and higher food costs. Your generosity ensures that no neighbor is left behind. Please consider making a donation today to help us meet the increased needs of the coming season.
With gratitude,
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Sandra Robinson
Executive Director, Needham Community Council
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Celebrating the Heart of Our Community
Last Wednesday, we gathered at the Needham Golf Club to honor the true backbone of our organization: our incredible volunteers. With a network of over 250 dedicated individuals, their commitment to providing friendship, support, and community to the people of Needham is nothing short of inspiring. Please enjoy this video from all of us at the Council as we highlight our deepest appreciation for everything they do.
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We were thrilled to recognize several individuals who went above and beyond this past year. Please join us in celebrating our 2026 award recipients:
Outstanding Milestones:
Years of Service: Charnay Kirsch, Maryanne Dinell, Leslie Renzulli
Areas of Service: Stefano Migliuolo
Hours of Service: Appley Adams, Bridie Dundon, Katherine Hennessey
Miles of Service: Bruce Peirce
The Next Generation of Leaders:
Our student volunteers showed incredible dedication this year, led by Lincoln Maxwell with a remarkable 184 hours of service! We also want to recognize Evan Meloni (147 hrs), Diya Sagar (134 hrs), Jenny Koslow (126 hrs), Orli Brown (105 hrs), and Ciara Canty, Kiara Eudaric, and Jonathan Fleisher (100 hrs each).
To every one of our volunteers: thank you. You don’t just help us function; you help our community flourish. We couldn't do this without you!
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Community Highlights
Our neighbors continue to inspire us! Because of your generosity, our shelves stay stocked for those who need it most.
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107 lbs from a dedicated high school student's monthly collection.
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101 lbs of food donated by the Newman School.
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42 lbs of snacks provided by Mitchell School.
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12 bags of groceries donated via a school meal plan credit.
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Dozens of "Good Time" snack bags handcrafted by Eliot School 1st graders.
Thank you for your support!
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Food Pantry Update
According to the 2026 Massachusetts Food Access Report by The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) and Mass General Brigham, a record 30% of households in Norfolk County experienced food insecurity in 2025. Driven by high inflation and federal policy shifts, this represents a 7% increase over the previous year.
What is the Needham Community Council experiencing?
Our pantry has seen a similar trend, with a 12% increase in visits compared to April of last year. This past month alone, we supported 420 visits, which included 69 home deliveries and 5 emergency visits.
Thank you for your continued support as we work to meet this growing need!
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Extracurricular Scholarships: Making a Difference.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Needham Community Council’s extracurricular scholarship program continues to grow. Already this fiscal year, the Council has awarded $12,000 in scholarships to 30 children, helping ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation. Here are some wonderful testimonials from our food pantry families that show their gratitude and the impact these scholarships provide.
| | | Dementia Care Partners Support | | |
Exciting Grant News
Thank you BID Needham for supporting the Dementia Care Partners Support Program. Because of this grant we are able to increase the Memory Cafes we offer to twice a month in partnership with the Needham Public Library and the Needham Council on Aging. It will also allow us to strengthen care partner coping and confidence through individualized consultations and peer support, further expanding our programming.
| | | Stephanie Knoch, Program Manger, Dementia Care Partners Support | | | |
April Dementia Friends
Information Session
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Memory Cafe
Tuesday, May 26th, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
Join us at the Needham VFW (20 Junction Street) for our May Memory Café!
All our welcome! Enjoy friendly conversation, light refreshments, and an engaging movement experience led by dance and movement therapist Donna Newman-Bluestein. Registration is requested but not required.
To register or learn more, please contact Program Manager Stephanie Knoch at sknoch@needhamcouncil.org.
| | | To view the ENTIRE memory Cafe schedule. Please click on this link. | |
Care Partner Consultation
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. In-person consultations are also available every Thursday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Needham Senior Center. To schedule an appointment or learn more, please contact Stephanie at (781) 444-2415 or sknoch@needhamcouncil.org.
| | English Language Learning | | |
Congratulations to Our
Beginner ELL Graduates!
Congratulations to the graduates of the Beginner ELL Class! Nine students completed the course which met twice a week from September to April. The graduates have been placed with ELL tutors to continue their learning journey. Thank you to the Beginner Class teacher, Reem, for making the class fun and for the support she showed her students throughout the year.
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Congratulations,
New Tutors!
Congratulations to the 13 new tutors who completed training on April 15th! It is always fun getting to know the new tutors during the training as they each bring interesting and diverse life and work experiences to the program. The new tutors are already matched with ELLs and teaching English in our community. The next new tutor training will take place in the fall.
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The Robots Were in the House!
Last week, the CATH was buzzing with innovation as the Needham Community Council’s Tech Teens hosted the Needham High School Robotics Club for a hands-on showcase.
This wasn’t just a demonstration—participants got to go beyond the sidelines to touch, feel, and even take the controls of these impressive student-built machines! It was a fantastic opportunity for the community to see firsthand how engineering, coding, and teamwork come together to bring robotics to life.
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Tech & Tutors is Springing with Activity
From personalized tech assistance at the CATH and Housing Authority to engaging tech talks led by local high school students, our Tech & Tutors program is here to help older adults confidently embrace the digital world.
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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Thank you, Stefano
A huge thank you to Stefano for giving a Tech Talk about Backing up and Syncing Your Technology at the CATH. From Tech & Tutor Extraordinaire to ELL and Food Pantry volunteer, we appreciate all that you do!
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Request For Technology
Do you have an old Mac, a Windows 10/11 laptop, or extra monitors gathering dust? Your "old" device could be a lifeline for someone currently without any technology. We are collecting gently used computers to help bridge the digital divide. Your unused gear could be a vital tool for students, job seekers, and families in our community. If you have a working device to spare, please reach out and help us get everyone connected! Contact Karen Zarrow, Program Manager, for more information.
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Spring Sale Success
We are thrilled to share that this year’s Spring Sale was a fantastic success, bringing in nearly $20,000! Heartfelt thanks go out to Maria, Gretchen, and Stacey and every volunteer who lent a hand. To our wonderful patrons: thank you for shopping with us and helping us reach this amazing milestone.
| | Memorial Day & Summer Hours | | | |
Please note the following schedule updates in observance of Memorial Day:
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The Food Pantry: Open Saturday, May 23. Closed Monday, May 25.
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The Council Thrift: Closed Saturday, May 23 and Monday, May 25.
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The Community Council & Programs: Closed Saturday, May 23 and Monday, May 25.
| | Summer Hours Begin Friday, June 5: Starting June 5, the Needham Community Council will close at 12:00 pm on Fridays. We will return to normal Friday hours on Tuesday, September 8. | | |
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 & Sunday
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Office
Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 4 pm
Closed Saturday & Sunday
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Needham Community Farm
The Farm's Seedling Sale is back for the 6th year in a row! There will be lots of varieties including: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, and squash! Also beets, basil, flowers, cabbage, greens, kale, onions, and much more!
Date + Time: May 16, 9am - 2pm
Location: 1155 Central Ave Needham MA (Newman Elementary School)
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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. | | | | |
