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Dear Friends,
September is always a season of change—families adjusting to new school schedules, communities finding their fall rhythm, and organizations like ours stepping up to meet evolving needs. It’s also a month of national awareness, with Hunger Action Month and World Alzheimer’s Month. We are proud to be doing impactful work in both of these arenas.
Addressing Food Insecurity: In August, our Food Pantry served 381 visits, including 72 home deliveries. This represents an 18% increase in visits and a 12% increase in households compared to last year. These numbers tell a clear story: the demand for food support continues to rise. To help us continue combating food insecurity, I invite you to donate to the Food Pantry.
Supporting Dementia Care Partners: This month, we launched our new Dementia Care Partners Support program, a community-centered initiative designed to empower, educate, and uplift those caring for individuals living with all forms of dementia. Through this program, we are offering:
- Dementia Friends Training, raising awareness and building understanding across the community. Next training is on September 15th.
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Memory Cafés with our very first gathering on September 25th (use link for more info about our event).
As we move into the fall, I am reminded that none of this would be possible without your continued support. Thank you for standing with us as we work to strengthen our community—one neighbor at a time.
With gratitude,
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"Give Back" to School
Thank you for all who supported our "Give Back" to School program for our Food Pantry families.
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.
We are only $255 away from achieving our program goal.
Please consider donating today.
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Community Partnerships
We continue to be amazed and grateful for the support we receive from the community.
Our Back-to-School campaign was a great success, due the generosity of individual donors as well as Copley Motorcars and the residents of North Hill.
A big thanks to the Council on Aging and the Needham Free Public Library for their assistance with coordinating our first Memory Café for care partners and their loved ones living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. The Memory Cafes will be held monthly going forward.
We also want to give a shoutout to both Kim Marie Nichols and Louise Miller, Needham Town Clerk, who have generously provided Notary services to residents, and ask for them to donate to the Council in lieu of paying for their services.
Thank you to all – we couldn’t do it without you!
| | Dementia Care Partners Support | | | |
Council's Memory Cafe
Join us for a welcoming and supportive gathering for individuals living with dementia and their care partners. This month’s program, Moving to Music with Donna Newman-Bluestein, will be held on Thursday, September 25th from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM in the Community Room at the Needham Public Library.
Enjoy coffee, snacks, and joyful movement to music from the 1950s to today — no prior experience needed! Whether seated or standing, all are welcome. For more information regarding the Cafe, please email Program Director, Stephanie Knoch, MSW or check out the flyer.
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Become a Dementia Friend!
We invite you to attend a free, 1-hour information session with Stephanie Knoch, MSW and join the global movement to change the way people think, act, and talk about dementia.
The training will be held on Monday September 15th from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm at the Community Council. For more more information, please email Program Director, Stephanie Knoch, MSW or RSVP here.
We offer this training to community groups, faith organizations, volunteer teams, businesses, and professional groups. Contact Stephanie Knoch to schedule a session.
| | | English Language Learning | | |
Meet ELL Tutor, Harding!
Harding, one of our dedicated ELL tutors, has worked with a wide range of students — from a grandfather from China, to a husband and wife from Ukraine. He has also led a small group of town employees and an intermediate-level class at Linden & Chambers. Wherever he’s teaching, Harding brings patience, curiosity, and a passion for helping others improve their lives through language.
“I especially enjoy the interaction with students eager to improve their speaking skills,” Harding shares. “We’ll dive into questions like When do I use ‘borrow’ instead of ‘lend’? or What’s the difference between ‘for’ and ‘since’? Seeing a student progress is particularly rewarding.”
Harding encourages others to become ELL tutors: “Jump in, the water’s fine. You don’t need to speak another language. Students want to talk, and as they get to know you, they’ll open up more. And you’ll learn so much about their cultures in the process.”
From laughing over idioms to hearing students read poetry aloud, Harding finds joy in helping learners gain both confidence and connection.
| | | 💡 Interested in becoming an ELL tutor? Training for new volunteers begins Wednesday, October 8th. Email Sheila Roberts at sroberts@needhamcouncil.org for more information. | | |
Save the Date - Mark Your Calendars
Next Mindful event: Strategies and Solutions for Social Anxiety in Tweens and Teens with ADHD
Join us on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, from 6:30–8:00 pm for a special presentation with Dr. Sharon Saline, a clinical psychologist with over 30 years of experience supporting neurodivergent children, teens, emerging adults, and parents. Dr. Saline will share practical tools to address social anxiety and strengthen executive functioning, emotional regulation, learning, and behavior—helping young people feel more confident, capable, and connected. More information will be posted our website next week.
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Technical Assistance
Center at the Heights (CATH)
Tech Support is available 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, September 17th, 2-3 pm
Seabeds Way
Wednesday, September 24th, 2-3 pm
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Tech Teen Talk
High School students are coming to the CATH to discuss all about DIGITAL SAFETY.
When: Wednesday, September 24th
Time: 3:15 pm
Where: CATH, Room 207
Any questions? Email Program Manager Karen Zarrow.
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Back Pack to School Sale
Sept 18, 19 and 20
Ever open your kids backpack and find some surprises? Maybe a partially eaten sandwich? An old yogurt, perhaps a report card you never saw? Well, our backpack surprises are way more fun! Just spend $20 at the Council Thrift on Sept. 18, 19 & 20 and pick a mini backpack to open and discover a special savings opportunity! Maybe you'll win $15 worth of jewelry or you could win an extra stamp on your Council Cash Card.....our Back Packs are full of surprises!
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Annual Coat Sale
Oct. 16, 17 and 18
Sure it's sunny and 70 now, but we hardy New Englanders know that sweatah weathah is just around the corner! So, if you are cleaning out your coat closets, please consider donating to the Community Council, and if you are in the market for new sweaters, jackets, coats, scarves, hats, gloves etc., then come check out our annual coat sale and stock up between October 16 - 18. Buy your Fall and Winter wear at Thrift Store prices and use your savings to fly south in February :).
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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 our Tuesday Food Pantry Drivers! They are so dependable and so helpful making food deliveries to our homebound neighbors in need. During the summer, when so many are away, we could always count on our team of kind, capable drivers to hit the road and serve our community! A sincere thank you to: Alison Borrelli, Bill Dermody, Bruce Pierce, Diana McKearney, Jocylyn Bailin, John Charters, Lev Byrd, Peter Maio, and Raj Thomas.
| | | Important Dates and Hours | | | |
Council Thrift & Donation
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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Please Plan Accordingly for Holiday Closures in September & October
- The Food Pantry and Council Thrift will be closed on Tuesday, September 23 in recognition of Rosh Hashanah.
- The Food Pantry and Council Thrift will be closed on Thursday, October 2 in observance of Yom Kippur.
- The Council Offices, Food Pantry, and Council Thrift will be closed on Saturday, October 11 and Monday, October 13 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day.
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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. | | | | |
