July News from the Community Council

July 2024

NEEDHAM COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS

Suitcase Stories was remarkable!

A big thank you to the storytellers for sharing their heartfelt and inspiring stories. It was truly a lovely evening and a great way to commemorate World Refugee Day!

The Needham Community Council appreciates all the attendees that came to the event. We look forward to hosting another Suitcase Stories in the near future.

Check out the coverage from Needham Local and Needham Observer about Suitcase Stories.

In the News

When school is in session, children have access to nutritiously-balanced meals and snacks. Summer can be more challenging with the loss of school meals and high food costs. This summer let's ensure that families have sufficient access to healthy food and snacks.

Please consider making a gift to help a Needham neighbor! Every contribution, big or small, helps!

With gratitude,

Make a Donation

June Was Just Beachy!

The Council continues to survey our customers and residents to improve our programs!

The second installment of the Financial Wellness class was a great success! In the end-of-class survey, 90% of the attendees responded that the course “significantly exceeded expectations."

Our medical equipment closet is helping so many our our Needham residents. 96% of medical equipment borrowers expressed intent to use the program again.

Food Pantry

In partnership with the Needham Community Farm, the Council staff and volunteers are excited to bring back the Mobile Market, on Tuesday evenings this summer.

Essential pantry items and household goods from the Council, and fresh produce grown on the farm will be available at no cost at the following locations. ALL Food Pantry customers are welcome at these locations!

Captain Robert Cook Drive

5:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Seabeds Way

5:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Program Updates

Tech & Tutors is on a summer schedule. Drop-in support is available at the Center at the Heights, 300 Hillside Ave, on Thursdays from 9 am -11 am, June 6th to August 29th, 2024 (except for Thursday, July 4th, 2024).

Classes, workshops, and more drop-in support hours will be available in the Fall.

Have a great Summer and see you in the Fall.

Summer ELL Conversation Groups are underway! On Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings at the Council, you can hear beginner and intermediate learners from Mexico, Iran, The Philippines, Ukraine, China, Brazil, and Japan (to name a few countries of origin) sharpening their English skills. Many thanks to our volunteer tutors who are donating their time to help these learners keep making progress!

Wrapping up at the end of June is an Advanced ELL Group led by volunteer tutor Rick Perras. This group has met weekly throughout the year to read and discuss The Pearl by John Steinbeck. Congratulations to all who participated in these discussions! Rick will continue to meet this summer with his online discussion group that is reading and discussing To Kill a Mockingbird. Thank you to Rick for his incredible work and dedication to the Council’s advanced English learners!

The Council Thrift

Proceeds from the sale fund the many programs sponsored by the Needham Community Council.

Feeling Gifty? Time to get Thrifty! At The Council Thrift’s

Thriftmas in July!

So many lovely Thrift Gifts have drifted ashore here at the Council! We will be auctioning them off each day Monday, July 24^th – 28^th.

Keep an eye on our Council Thrift Facebook page because that’s where we post our auction items so you can comment with your bids.

So if you are feeling gifty, it’s time to get Thrifty at the Council Thrift!

Join The Council Thrift Facebook Group To See Auction Items and Bid!

Summer Hours

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

Summer Office

Hours

Monday - Thursday

8:30 am - 4 pm

Friday

8:30 am - 12 pm

Closed Saturday & Sunday

Summer Hours:

Fridays Closed at 12 noon

4th of July Hours:

The Food Pantry and the Council Thrift

will be closed Jul 1 thru July 6th.

See you on the 8th.

The Council Offices

will be closed July 3 thru July 5th.

See you on the 8th.

Sandra Robinson

Executive Director

Stacey Fallon

Director of Volunteers

Mindy Kalish

Development and PR Manager

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.