November 2022

HOLIDAY PLANNING

is underway!

THANKSGIVING

Please choose from one of the two options for Thanksgiving food support:

Have a fully cooked Thanksgiving dinner delivered to your home on Wednesday, November 23^rd (limit of 3 meals per household). We have a limited number of meals, please call the Council early to reserve your meal: 781-444-2415

Pick up all the ingredients needed to cook a Thanksgiving meal yourself. This option will not include a turkey, but you will be given a gift card to Stop & Shop. Please sign up for a day and time to pick up your food using the Sign Up Genius link below. We will be asking for proof of residency at time of pick up.

HOLIDAY GIFTS

We heard you - the overwhelming response from last year's Holiday Gift program was that you loved it! We will be distributing gift certificates for all members in your family that we have on your account. You will then be able to shop at the businesses to select presents of your choice. No matter how you celebrate, our goal is to bring a smile to all our families!

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP FOR HOLIDAY GIFTS IS

NOVEMBER 30TH

We will be asking for proof of residency at time of pick up.

RESIDENCY VERIFICATION

To participate in the Holiday support from the Council this year, we will be requiring proof of residency in Needham. When you come to pick up your Thanksgiving food and at the time you pick up holiday gifts, you will need to show one of the following documents to prove that you reside in Needham:

· Valid driver’s license or Mass ID

· Utility bill with your name and 0address

· Copy of your lease agreement

· The letter you should have received in October

ELL Walk 'n Talk

Continue Through November

More than 60 participants have joined the Council's Walk and Talk series this fall. Speakers of English, Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, French, German, Tagalog, Korean, Portuguese, Bulgarian, and more have joined us to enjoy the outdoors and learn together.

The last Walk and Talk of the season is on Tuesday, November 1 at 10:30 a.m. We are grateful to Ruth Glazerman, our intrepid volunteer, for leading these walks!

Save the Date - Holiday Boutique

Get your holiday cheer going with everything to make your home festive at affordable prices!

December 1st - 3rd

Thursday: 10 am – 6 pm

Friday: 10 am – 4 pm

Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm

Food Pantry Pick Up Time Slots

We will not have regular pick up times the week of Thanksgiving - sign up early for your for the other weeks of November.

Schedule your November Food Pantry Visit NOW

Community Event:

Mindful Resilience for Mental Health

Join Dr. Chris Willard as we explore the foundations of resilience, discuss the most common mental health challenges our kids and teens are facing today, and discover ways to provide support through simple takeaway tips for yourself and your community.

Date: Wednesday, November 9th, 2022

Time: 7-8:30pm

Place: Center at the Heights (300 Hillside Ave, Needham)

Registration is free. All ages are welcome to attend the presentation!

Learn More Here

SNAP Benefits Increased

In response to the annual cost of living adjustment, SNAP benefits will increase 12%, with Massachusetts households receiving an average monthly increase of $25-$30.

If you are not already receiving SNAP, check if you qualify and apply:

Check if You are Eligible

Apply for SNAP

Kids' Corner

Leafy Pumpkin

Get outside to collect some natural material to decorate for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

What you need:

heavy construction paper or cardboard
glue
small piece of bark
small green leaf
collection of colorful leaves

Cut the cardboard or paper to pumpkin shape, collect the leaves and bark, glue them onto the board and enjoy!

Eat, Drink and Be Thankful

Easy Apple Cake

1-3/4 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 cups finely chopped peeled tart apples

1 cup chopped nuts

1-1/4 cups whipped topping/ice cream

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and baking soda; gradually beat into sugar mixture until blended. Fold in apples and walnuts.

Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35-45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Serve with whipped topping.

Thanksgiving Sandwich

2 tbsp. mayonnaise

2 tbsp. mustard

4 slices bread, toasted

2 c. leftover roasted turkey

1/2 leftover mashed potatoes

1/2 c. cranberry sauce

1/2 c. leftover stuffing

1/4 c. gravy, warmed

1/4 c. greens - spinach or lettuce

In a small bowl, mix together mayo and mustard. Spread one side of two pieces of bread with mayo mixture. This is your base for both sandwiches.

Top each of the two slices of bread with 1 cup of turkey, ¼ cup of mashed potatoes, 2 tablespoons cranberry sauce, ¼ cup of stuffing, and then 2 tablespoons of gravy and spinach.

Place second pieces of bread on top to complete sandwiches. Slice in half and serve.