Council Blog

THRIFT SHOP TENT SALE

posted on July 30, 2020 |

THE TENT IS UP, AND YOUR’E INVITED!

Loaded with all the spring and summer fashions that we would have sold this past spring, our tent is open for business. Come check out the great deals on clothing, shoes, handbags and more!

Open to the public
Tuesdays and Thursdays ONLY, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Cash and checks ONLY

Health and Safety are our top priority

Masks required
Hand sanitizing station available
Social Distancing
Contact free transaction at check out
No outside bags allowed
The number of people in the tent will be limited
If there is a line to enter, time in the tent will be limited

All sales fund Council programs, including the current unprecedented needs of the Food Pantry.

No Donations Accepted Yet…we are working on a donation plan for fall. Thank you for your patience and continued support of the Council. Please keep your good stuff for us!

2020 BACK TO SCHOOL DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM

posted on July 30, 2020 |

Due to COVID, we are still unsure as to how our students will be going to school this fall. No matter how, we know that income-eligible families will need lots of back to school items and we will be there to help….instead of our annual back to school supplies distribution, we will distribute gift cards for local and online shopping. There are more than 150 school-aged children and teens registered in the food pantry.

We will not be accepting any donations of school supplies or back to school items; instead we will be distributing gift cards ONLY. How can you help?

Click here to make an online donation and we will purchase gift cards with 100% of the funds received
Send [or deliver] gift cards to local stores or online shopping sites to us at: 570 Hillside Ave., Needham, MA 02494 – Target, Walmart, Staples, Amazon are good choices

THE FRONT STEPS PROJECT

posted on March 19, 2020 |

As the Front Steps Project wraps up, thank you to Cara Soulia, Kristen Collins and their team of photographers who helped make Needham and the Council a part of history. They engaged the community and the entire world [no exaggerating!] as COVID-19 was forcing us to face a new reality of social isolation….and, raised more than $45,000 for the Council Food Pantry to help ensure that no Needham family ever face hunger or food insecurity.

Be sure to check out their new book: due out in November, 2020 and now available in pre-order.

The Front Steps Team:
Cara Soulia, Co-Founder, Photographer
Kristen Collins, Co-Founder, Marketing, Communications PR
Topher Cox, Caitrin Dunphy, Kate King, Photographers

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS

posted on March 26, 2020 |

Here’s a great way to help local restaurants and our neighbors with food insecurity!

Purchase a $25 gift certificate/card online
Send it to giftcard@needhamcommunitycouncil.org
We will collect all donated certificates and distribute them when we have enough for 1 per Food Pantry household

Please “Like and share” our facebook post!

https://www.facebook.com/NeedhamCommunityCouncil/

CANS FOR CALCIUM

posted on February 24, 2020 |

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, 2020 due to COVID-19

2 barrels have been set up at the end of the driveway at
1625 Great Plain Avenue – and at the RTS

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

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

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

posted on July 16, 2020 |

UPDATE 8/1/20

• Council Thrift Shop is now open outside, under a tent
Tuesday & Thursday ONLY, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Masks Required

• All drop off donations of food, clothing, household goods continue to be suspended
[we hope to re-open with new systems in September]

• We are once again able to accept food donations from online delivery sites [eg. Amazon]

• To Volunteer
Click here for our online volunteer sign up form

We will be re-starting our volunteer program soon…
many of our previous volunteers will be unable to return due to COVID precautions, so we will be looking for YOU!

— — —

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

— — —

ANY Needham resident with income challenges and food/grocery needs due to COVID-19 may register for food pantry supports
call us for more information and to sign up – 781-444-2415

• We continue to directly purchase food/grocery items to ensure we have adequate supplies
to provide for Needham families

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

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

• 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…

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

• 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

• 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

3/23/2020: UPDATE FOR FOOD PANTRY SHOPPERS

posted on March 17, 2020 |

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