Council Blog

TURN YOUR  
CANS/BOTTLE RETURNS
INTO MILK FOR THE
COUNCIL FOOD PANTRY!

The State estimates that 28 million cans were not redeemed 
for over 5 million dollars during March due to COVID-19 

2 barrels have been set up at the end of the driveway at
1625 Great Plain Avenue – and, the RTS can/botle donation shed is open again

this project helps support food pantry families
and saves the environment!

  

 

 

Here’s a great way to help support the Council Food Pantry and the Cans for Calcium Project.

This photo was sent to us by a Needham resident who set up a recycling bag in her office with a sign telling her co-workers that she will deliver thieir cans /botttles to be donated to purchase milk for the Council Food Pantry.

Needham resident, Jeff Dinneen, collects recyclable cans/bottles throughout town and at the Needham RTS. He returns them f

or the deposit and uses the funds to purchase milk. He brings the milk to the Council Food Pantry every week and it is then distributed to Needham families….a full circle!

   

UPDATE 5/15/20

 settling in to a new “normal” …
we are in this for the “long haul” and we will get through this together!

Our Food Pantry will continue to stay open and  support any Needham resident with income challenges who may have food/grocery needs due to the COVID-19 situation  

• Financial donations from the community have been, and continue to be, sincerely appreciated!

• all drop off donations of food, clothing, household goods have been suspended
to ensure the safety and health of our staff, volunteers and food pantry families
please help us and don’t leave donations at our building including thrift shop clothing, household items, food products and any food donations from online delivery sites  [eg. Amazon] 
We are directly purchasing the food/grocery items we need to ensure we have adequate supplies
to provide for Needham families

• Shop our Thrift Shop online

Our Thrift Shop is a major fundraiser for Council programs; 
while we are  closed we are posting items on EBAY… 

• To Volunteer 
Click here for the Center At The Heights [CATH] online volunteer sign up form
We have reduced our volunteers and staff to the bare minimum, but…
The Needham Council on Aging is collecting names of people who are iinterested in
volunteering to help others in the community.
This will be the central site for collecting names and then they will be shared with other local agencies, including the Council,
as needs are identified.
This response will provide support to the entire Needham community, not just seniors.

Many community-led projects are available to residents looking to support the Council and Needham residents:

• Purchase a $25 gift certificate to a local restaurant and send it or email it to us giftcard@needhamcommunitycouncil.org…these will be collected and then distributed to food pantry customers to give them a night off from cooking while supporting our local restaurants – click here for more information

• Click here to purchase a produce box to donate to the Council Food Pantry from Katsiroubas Produce…buy one for yourself and donate one to Food Pantry families 

• Be Kind Needham: Facebook group making masks, donating to community groups, first responders, seniors, etc…..a way to “give back” to our community

• The Front Steps Project:

created by Needham photographer Cara Soulia as a creative way to celebrate family & life during this time of social isolation…and support the Council at the same time through her go-fund-me campaign!

Her project has been picked up by photographers across the country; profiled on CNN, Good Morning America, People Magazine and more…. and has raised more than $20,000 for the Council Food Pantry !!!

• One Needham: created by Needham residents to support area healthcare teams, first responders, local residents, businesses and restaurants. They have already raised more than $30,000 which has purchased 300 restaurant gift cards [including a donated share to Council Food Pantry families] and delivered more than 1000 restaurant meals to frontline workers and families most impacted by COVID 19. oneneedhamma@gmail.com

• Mikey Goes to the RTS: Needham resident with a truck will take your houshold items to the RTS in return for a donation to the Council. Email Mikey

Thanks to everyone who has responded to our request for scheduling appointments on sign up genius….it is working so well! All households are welcome to shop twice a month…sign up genius is set up for appointments through the end of March. We will send an email when the April dates are posted.

No extra drop-in food items items will be available, but we want to ensure that all households have adequate food supplies. We will distribute whatever food we have; please know there may be shortages of fresh fruits, veggies, meat and other perishable products going forward.

• New hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m – 1 p.m.; Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m.; Fridays, home deliveries only; closed on Saturdays until further notice.
• All food will be distributed in pre-packed boxes;
• Any items you cannot use, please share with your neighbors…do not return them to the Council
• Appointments will be needed for all pick ups. Click here to sign up for an appointment or call us at 781-444-2415.
• Pick up is at curb-side only…drive through – no in person visits into the Pantry
• Home deliveries are available on Fridays..call us at 781-444-2415
• Updates will be sent via email….please be sure to check your email every day.

The Needham Community Council Food Pantry will continue to stay open throughout this COVID:19 situation. We will continue to make changes to our hours and distribution methods as necessary. visit this page regularly for the most up-to-date- information.

Call us if you have any questions – 781-444-2415 or email us at office@needhamcommunitycouncil.org

 

• Sign up for SNAP support: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps), provides income eligible families in Massachusetts with extra buying power.
Call: Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 (M-F from 8am-7pm & Saturday from 10am-2pm.)

• Community Council Food Pantry food distribution is available twice a month per family

Current customers: please complete our food pantry survey: click here
If you haven’t received a restaurant gift card, please let us know when you sign up

• Current Food Pantry Customers:

Drive-up appointments:
now open through Wednesday, June 17th ONLY 

Reminder: to make a drive-up appointmen:
1. Click here for online sign up or
2. Call our office 781-444-2415, M-F, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

How do I request a home delivery reservation?  call our office at 781-444-2415, M-F, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. A limited number of deliveries will be available each week on Fridays, until June 12th and then on Thursday, beginning June 18th.

>> If there are food items you are unable to eat, or something you cannot use, please let us know when you sign up for your appointment. We will do our best not to give you food you cannot use and to give you items you need.

• New Food Pantry Customers:
Limited to Needham residents with income challenges; No certification requirements until further notice…
please: 1) follow the steps above to sign up for a drive-up appointment and 2) call our office at 781-444-2415 to register

We are not closing the Food Pantry. There will always be food available. 

But, we have made some changes. 

• Customers may come [or receive a delivery] twice/month….no extra drop-in visits for bread or other items
• Drive up visits ONLY – we will bring pre-packed boxes of food to your car, including fresh produce, as it is available
• All visits are by appointment only
• The Food Pantry will be open for pickup on Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 5- 6:00 p.m. ONLY
• No Saturday hours
• Delivery on Friday mornings, ONLY … until June 12th and then on June 18th, deliveries on Thursdays throughout the summer.
• We will continue to answer our phone, 781-444-2415, M-F, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• We are taking extra care regarding the cleaning and disinfection of all of our facilities and food
• The Council building is closed
• The Thrift Shop is closed and we are not able to process any clothing or household donations until further notice

Please call us or email us at office@needhamcommunitycouncil.org to let us know if we can help you during this stressful time. 

During this health crisis we are focused on keeping the Food Pantry open and will continue to provide food supplies to Needham residents…hours and our method of distribution have changed

Food Pantry shoppers: click here to sign up for a shopping appointment

ALL OTHER COUNCIL EVENTS/PROGRAMS ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:

Anniversary Celebration Event – Tuesday, March 31
Spring Thrift Shop Boutique Sale – April 2, 3, 4

Council Thrift Shop is closed until further notice….no household or clothing donations, please

Most staff are working from home or as support for the Food Pantry…call us at 781-444-2415
Volunteers have been encouraged to stay at home; we are all observing 6 foot social distancing

Council Food Pantry will continue to provide food to Needham residents; our delivery methods have changed, as necessary. Any Needham resident will food insecurity [even if only short-term] should contact us as 781-444-2415 or email us at srobinson@needhamcommunitycouncil.org

CAP Program is on hold while the Needham Public Schools are closed.

ESL Conversation Groups are cancelled until further notice; one-on-one tutoring may continue through remote learning.

Medical Equipment Loan Program and Transportation Program: CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
in a medical emergency call 911