August 2022 News

Back to School Supplies
We look forward to supporting your students going back to school this Fall. The overwhelming response from our customers was that you liked the back to school gift cards rather than having an event at the Council so we are continuing with this plan.

Please complete the following survey and choose a day you would like to come to the Council to pick up the gift cards.

Deadline to complete the survey is AUGUST 15th

WE WILL KEEP ALL INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL
Mobile Market for All

The mobile market is for all our food pantry customers. While the location of the markets is at several Needham Housing Authority sites, it is open to any food pantry customer. Be sure to stop in to pick up some freshly picked vegetables from the Needham Community Farm and additional groceries from our pantry.
Robert Cook Drive
Tuesday 5 pm - 5:30 pm
Seabeds Way
Tuesday 5:30 pm - 6 pm
Chambers & Linden Street
Friday 3 pm - 4 pm

Tech & Tutors
Tech Tip - Hoopla
Can you read a book or watch a movie using Hoopla while you are away from wifi? Yes! You can use Hoopla to open your book or movie as long as you prepare. While you are still on wifi, open Hoopla and borrow your desired book, movie, etc.
Then, tap on My Hoopla, open the item you want to download and tap on the "Tap here to download" button. When you are offline and want to open that title, just open the Hoopla app, and you will be brought right to a screen showing everything you downloaded and from there you can tap to open your book or movie.

If you would like to obtain a Fire tablet, attend a training session or sign up to work one-on-one with a tutor, please call or email Stacey at 781-444-2415, ext 2120, sfallon@needhamcouncil.org.
Covid Tests Available

We just received a large order of COVID-19 rapid tests. Free to all of our Food Pantry customers.

Please call the office to pick up your test kit at 781-444-2415.
A Gift for Our Loyal Thrifty Customers
The Council Cash Card is HERE!

Visit our Thrift Shop and with every $20 you spend you will get a stamp on your Loyalty Card - the Council Cash Card.

Each full card with 10 stamps will be worth $10 towards merchandise. The more you spend, the more you save!
Utility Bill Assistance
Cooling costs can be expensive
Is the cost of cooling your home this summer raising your electric bill? The Town of Needham and the Gift of Warmth program can help households in Needham who are struggling with their utility bills.

Assistance is available:
Contact Tiffany at the Needham Health Department at 781-455-7940 ext. 217
Food Pantry Pick Up Time Slots

To ensure you have an appointment we ask that you book your food pantry visits early.

We make the following month's food pantry visit time slots available around the middle of each month. We encourage you to book your visits early to ensure there is a spot that works well for your household.
Schedule your August Food Pantry Visits NOW

Healthy Aging in Needham
Survey for Needham Residents 60 years or older


The Needham Department of Health and Human Services is conducting a survey of Needham residents who are 60 years of age and older to gather your opinions and assess your needs. The results will be used to help program and service planning for Town departments and community-based organizations.

Thank you very much for your time and support.

Thank you for Reading!
Yes! We are still excited to have you reading the newsletter and want to reward you with a gift card! Continue to read and enter to win - every month 10 lucky customers will win a gift card to a local business.

Winners will be notified via email around the 10th of the month.

Kindness Cakes
A special birthday cake for your child
Kindness Cakes has a mission to bring families a bit of happiness through custom-made birthday cakes. Kindness Cakes bakers have watched over and over again just how excited and joyful a child can be when they see and eat their very own custom birthday cake. The goal is to match families in need with a local baker in the Greater Boston area. Each baker will customize a cake just for the special birthday child! Please contact Kindness Cakes directly to arrange a special cake on your child's birthday.

Bakers Need at LEAST
a TWO WEEK Notice!
Kids' Corner
Easy Cork Boats
To make your raft - join three corks with two elastic bands.

Cut sail shapes out of strong paper or card stock in the shape of a sail - get creative, sails come in many shapes.

Using a skewer or straw, punch holes in the sails and run them through the top and bottom of your sails. Be sure the pointy end of your skewer is facing down.

Trim the skewer at the top if it is too long and poke the pointy end into the center cork.

Go sailing in the pond, pool or even your tub!
Stay Cool with No Cook Summer Meals
Purple Power Bean Wraps

1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 15-ounce can beans, drained and rinsed, and mashed
1/2 cup avocado, peeled, pitted, puréed
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 1/4 teaspoons olive oil
1/3 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups red cabbage, shredded
6 10-inch tortillas, whole wheat
3 cups lettuce, shredded

Mash avocado, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, chili powder, and salt until smooth. Mix into mashed beans.

Add shredded cabbage. Mix well. You may cover and refrigerate for no more than 2 hours to avoid browning of avocado.

For each wrap, place 1/3 cup of bean filling on the bottom half of tortilla. Top with ½ cup of lettuce. Roll in the form of a burrito. Cut diagonally. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips
Puree beans in food processor, blender, or smash with fork.
Three Bean Salad


2 cans green beans, drained
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can chickpea or black beans, drained and rinsed
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a large bowl, combine all beans and onions.

In a small separate bowl, combine vinegar, sugar, oil and pepper.

Pour over bean mixture and stir gently until the beans are coated.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Recipe Tips
You can serve this salad immediately but it is best to let the salad sit in the refrigerator overnight to let the flavors meld.
Summer Hours
Council Thrift & Donation Hours

Monday 10 am - 4 pm
Tuesday & Thursday 10 am - 6 pm
Friday 10 am - 12 noon
Saturday 10 am - 2 pm
Office Hours

Monday - Thursday
8:30 am - 4 pm

Friday
8:30 am - 12 noon
Stay Connected

Needham Community Council
570 Hillside Avenue
Needham, MA 02494
781-444-2415