Food Pantry

Current Customers

For existing customers of
the Food Pantry.

Current Customers

New Customers

Needham residents experiencing food insecurity are encouraged to become New customers.

New Customers

Giving to the Food Pantry

Learn more about how you can
give to the Food Pantry.

Give to the Food Pantry

Current Customers

Quick Links

Schedule Next Visit

Pantry Newsletter

General Shopping Info

Lastest Food Pantry News

Mobile Market is BACK!

Join the Needham Community Farm and the Council food pantry right in your back yard beginning June 6th. With a wide range of vegetables and expanded food choices, stop in at one of these locations!

Capt. Robert Cook Drive
Tuesdays, 5pm – 5:30pm

Seabeds
Tuesday 5:30pm – 6pm

Linden & Chambers – FARM Only
Friday 3 pm – 3:30 pm

New Round of Extra-Curricular Scholarship Funds Available

With the help of two generous donors, we are expanding the Extra-Curricular Scholarship Program to assist with the cost of your student’s activities. Whether it’s music, clubs, athletics or driver’s education, we may be able to help. Click on the link below to learn more and complete and application.

DETAILS & APPLICATION HERE

Food Pantry Shopping Basics

Our food pantry is well stocked and we will always have food available for our customers. All food pick-ups are in person and done on an appointment only basis.

Each household may shop twice a month.

To plan your next visit please use the sign up .

Contact-Free Pick-Up Times

Food Pick-Up Times:
Mondays: 10:30AM – 12:30PM
(sign up for this day closes the Friday prior at 2 pm)
Wednesdays: 10:30AM – 12:30PM &
5:00PM – 6:00PM
(sign up for this day closes the Tuesday prior at 2 pm)
All dry groceries will be distributed in pre-packed boxes
Produce boxes are seasonal and are not customizable
You will have a choice of Dairy and frozen items at pick up.
Pick up at curbside only – no entering the food pantry

Deliveries

For any customers that are unable to come the Council, we will deliver food to your home. Deliveries are intended ONLY for households that CAN NOT PICKUP. If you are able to come to the Food Pantry, please sign up with the Sign Up Genius and schedule a pick up! All deliveries are scheduled directly with the office, please call us.

Deliveries will be made on Tuesdays
All food will be distributed in pre-packed boxes
If you are not home or do not pick up the phone at your scheduled delivery day, YOUR FOOD WILL NOT BE LEFT

Contact Info

Call us if you have any questions at 781-444-2415 or

email us at office@needhamcouncil.org

Plan Your Next Order

How do I Make an Order?

On the Sign-Up Form, after you select your appointment time, follow the instructions on the diagram below to write what you Do Want and what you Do Not Want included in your order.

You may also call us to make an appointment and ask us to add the notes to your order: call 781-444-2415.

What is in a Typical Order?

If you do not want any of these items, please write the item in the “DO NOT WANT” section of the Sign-Up Form.

In additon to the below items, each order includes a box of produce filled with seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables.

Groceries	Groceries	Hygiene
Tuna	Juice	Toilet Paper
Dried Fruit/Nuts	Pasta	Paper Towels
Cereal	Rice
Tomato/Spaghetti Sauce	Snacks

What items are available by Special Request?

We try to keep the following items in our inventory. You may request them in the “DO WANT” section of the Sign-Up Form. We can’t guarantee their availability but will do our best.

Groceries	Groceries	Hygiene	Household
Canned salmon	Canned vegetables	Shampoo	Dishwashing soap
Canned chicken	Oil or olive oil	Conditioner	Laundry detergent
Soups/broth	Tomato paste	Body wash	All-purpose cleanter
Jelly products	Shelf stable milk	Body soap
Peanut butter	Instant mashed potatoes	Deodorant	Specialty Diet
Canned beans	Rice mixes	Toothbrushes & paste	Gluten-free items
Dry beans	Ramen	Tampons	Low sugar
Ketchup	Mac and cheese	Menstrual pads	Milk alternatives
Salad dressing	Tea	Incontinence pads	Nutritional Drinks
Instant oatmeal	Ground coffee	Tissue
Oatmeal packets	K-cups
Baking items	Whole bean coffee

What if I get Expired Food?

On occasion the items you receive will be close to or beyond the “sell by” date.

There is confusion over what the different dates on the food really mean. That date often does not mean the the food is spoiled, only that it is not at it’s best.

We’ve compiled a Fact Sheet that can help explain what the different dates mean:

Food Safety Fact Sheet

Other Food Pantry Programs

local-restuarant-gift-certificate-program

Extra-Curricular Scholarships

Offering a limited scholarship program to assist with the cost of your students’ extracurricular activities like music, clubs, athletics or driver’s education.

Details & Apply Here

Karma of Clothing

The Karma of Clothing program is back and here to help you look your best. Schedule a styling appointment here.

Apply Here

Birthday Gift Cards

We celebrate your child’s birthday with a gift card to Learning Express. Be sure we have the correct birthdate information so we can send a card on the month of their special day.

Other Available Resources

Past Food Pantry Newsletters

January 2023	January 2022	December 2021
February 2023	February 2022
March 2023	March 2022
April 2023	April 2022
May 2023	May 2022
June 2023	June 2022
	July 2022
	August 2022
	September 2022
	October 2022
	November 2022
	December 2022

Utility Help

Are you struggling with your utilites or heating bills? The Gift of Warmth program is here to help please contact the Needham Health Department at 781-455-7940 ext. 218

Mental Health Support

Free Mental Health Referrals
One of the challenges of accessing mental health is finding a provider that is able to help you and accepts your insurance. The William James College Interface Referral Program is available at no cost to all of our Food Pantry customers.
For more information on this program please call 617-332-3666 x 1411

United Way 211
Get help connecting with resources all over the US at any time day or night
Call 211 or 211 Website

Childcare & Early Education Support

Creative Start
The Newton-Watertown Creative Start Program offers Early education for preschoolers is available for qualified families.

Learn more about Creative Start Program

Family ACCESS Early Literacy Service
Free community services to provide educational experiences for all young children.

Learn more about it Family ACCESS Community Connection

Student Extra Curricular Resources

Many of the programs that are available in Needham already have scholarships available.

Below is a list and contact information for some of the more common programs. Please email the program

Charles River YMCA
These programs and membership typically have scholarships available for income eligible families. Please contact the email below or go in person to the Y to receive an application CharlesRiverY@ymcaboston.org

Needham Parks & Recreation
Most food pantry customer are eligible for a pool pass and classes. To apply for a scholarship begin by calling our office to get a referral letter. Then you should email Parks and Rec or go in person to the Rosemary Pool complex to request to sign up parkandrecreation@needhamma.gov

Needham Driving School
Some students at the high school qualify for free or discounted driving lessons. This is covered through the high school. Have your student reach out to their guidance counselor to arrange for this program. If there are portions that are not covered by the high school’s scholarship program, you may apply for the additional here.

Needham Youth Sports
There are many Needham sports teams like Needham Soccer Club, St. Joe’s or Needham Metrowest Basketball, Needham Baseball & Softball, and others that offer scholarships. Please EMAIL the program that you are interested in request a scholarship.
Needham Soccer Club: executivedirector@needhamsoccer.com

St. Joe’s Basketball: Steve Bloomberg / coachsteve39@msn.com

Needham MetroWest Basketball: needhammetrowest@gmail.com

Needham Baseball & Softball:

Other Programs
Many camps, ballet studios, and art studios can offer a discounted or free class to families that qualify. Please contact the provider to ask about options.

If there are programs that do not cover the full amount of the class or program, you are welcome to apply for a scholarship from us.

Learn more about the Council’s Extra-Curricular Scholarships

Other Food Resources

SNAP Support
Supplemental nutrition assistance program provides income eligible families in MA with extra buying power.

Now the Needham Farmers Market accepts SNAP EBT Customers.
SNAP Website

More information about SNAP

Project Bread
Project Bread can help you with registering with SNAP or find additional food resources near you.

PROJECT BREAD or Call 1-800-645-8333

WIC – Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program
provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services, free of charge, to Massachusetts families who qualify.

WIC Information for Participants or Contact at (800) 942-1007.

Lasagna Love

Local chefs are ready to make a lasagna dinner for our food pantry customers, all you have to do is ask. Request a dinner through their website.

Lasagna Love

Kindness Cakes

A special birthday cake for your child, baked especially for you by a local baker. Please contact them directly to request a cake, allow at least 2 weeks for them to find a baker and plan.

Kindness Cakes

New Customers

Current Food Pantry Eligibility

A typical Food Pantry distribution will include fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meat and dairy, shelf stable products like soup, tuna, pasta, sauces and more including personal care products and paper goods. You will be asked to complete the following registration form and mail of drop it off at our office at:

Needham Community Council, 570 Hillside Avenue, Needham, MA 02494

Food Pantry Registration Form

We are not requiring income verification to join the Food Pantry.

If you are a resident of Needham and need food support due to income challenges, we are here to help!
Please call us at 781-444-2415

Giving to the Food Pantry

Ways to Give to the Food Pantry

Food Drives

Do a dedicated Food Drive with all the foods we have a hard time finding affordably but our customers love!

Learn More

Make a Gift

We need your support now more than ever! Please consider giving today via our secure online donation form.

Donate Now

Cans For Calcium

Turn your returnable bottles & cans into milk for the Food Pantry!

Drop off at Needham RTS or at the home of Jeff Dinneen: 1625 Great Plain Ave (end of driveway).

Amazon Wish List

We keep a running list of items that we need for the Food Pantry. When you purchase an item, Amazon delivers it to us.

Visit Wishlist

Donate Your Time

Be a part of the team of volunteers that help keep our Food Pantry running and organized.

Learn More

Our Food Pantry Partners

Current Hours

Summer Office/Phones:
Monday - Friday	8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Friday	8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Summer Thrift Donation Site:
Monday	10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday & Thursday	10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday	10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Saturday	10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Summer Thrift Shop:
Monday	10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday & Thursday	10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday	10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Saturday	10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Food Pantry:

Accepting new customers and current customers by reservation only. Please call 781-444-2415 for details.

Council offices and all programs are closed on most major holidays. We follow the Needham Public School weather closings

Kalindi-Kango

Kalindi has masters degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India. She initially began her career at Computer Vision in Burlington, MA and later worked as a software consultant for Fortune 500 companies like Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer. Kalindi has lived in Florida, New Jersey, California and returned back to Massachusetts. She and her husband with two daughters moved here in Needham in 2015 and quickly found strong ties to the Needham Community. Both her daughters graduated from Needham High School and continued to pursue higher professional education.

Over the years Kalindi has volunteered her time at various non-profits including Saheli - a non-profit for battered women from south Asian and middle eastern community, as a treasurer for Pony Club of Northern California, and librarian at Bridgewater-NJ Elementary School. Most recently, during Covid-19 crisis, she participated in Boston Area Mask Initiative, a movement that provided over 60000 masks to underserved population by sewing them at her Needham residence. She contributed to local groups within Needham-Wellesley area in sewing and distributing surgical caps and masks for healthcare workers at local hospitals. Prior to being on the Council Board, Kalindi worked as a volunteer at the council to streamline recording of volunteer hours and medical equipment loaning records. She looks forward to working with the council in coming years and helping achieve the Council goals and support the Needham community.

Susan Mitchell

Susan is a geriatrician and health services researcher at the Hebrew SeniorLife Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Susan is originally from Montreal. She is a graduate of the University of Ottawa medical school and has a Master’s of Public Health from Harvard University. Her career has largely focused on conducting research to improve the quality of life of older persons with serious illness, particularly dementia.

She moved to the Needham from Canada in 2000. She lives with her partner, has two step-children, and enjoys hiking with her beloved labradoodle through the Town Forest. Susan loves living in Needham and looks forward to contributing to the community.

David-Carter

David is a Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Fidelity Investments providing legal counsel to the firm’s asset management and operations businesses. David specializes in mutual fund corporate governance matters, including substantial involvement with mutual fund boards of directors, as well as SEC rulemaking processes.

David has held a variety of roles in Fidelity’s legal department since joining Fidelity in 2005. From 2010 to 2014, David led a team of lawyers and project managers who coordinated Fidelity’s response to rulemaking following the financial crisis. Prior to joining Fidelity, David spent five years as associate at Ropes & Gray, where he worked on a broad range of corporate and securities law matters.

David received his A.B. in Economics from the University of Michigan and his JD from Harvard Law School. He has lived in Needham since 2008 with his wife and their two sons

Joyce McCafferty

Joyce cannot believe she has lived in Needham for 10 years. It still seems like yesterday when the McCafferty family moved into town. Despite not having friends nor family here, the family has forged strong bonds of friendship with neighbors within this welcoming community and are proud to call Needham home.

Armed with a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Joyce’s career began in pharmaceuticals. Stay at home parenting temporarily interrupted her career trajectory. However, this detour pales in comparison with her current pursuit of a new career in healthcare as an EMT and ski patroller.

Previously active in ParentTalk, Joyce is excited at the opportunity to serve the larger community of Needham.

Andrea Wasserman

Andrea B. Wasserman is an innovative leader, effective strategist, and philanthropy expert. She consistently inspires clients to exceed their fundraising goals by focusing on smart development strategies and unleashing the right talent.

As Founder and President of the boutique organizational development firm ABW Partners (formerly Social Profit Ventures), Andrea has partnered with nearly 50 clients on customized engagements around the design and execution of exceptional advancement and fundraising programs. Andrea also delivers an expansive array of fundraising coaching, proficiency building, and learning opportunities from the c-suite and board level to development departments and cross-organization teams.

Before launching her firm in 2012, Andrea was the catalyst behind fundraising at various high-performing local, national, and international nonprofits. Charged with the responsibility of driving comprehensive and sustainable financial resource development, Andrea assumed pivotal roles at UJA Federation of New York, Wall Street Division; United Jewish Communities (first as the Director of National Young Leadership Cabinet and then Director of National Women’s Constituency); Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School; and BBYO International.

In concert with dynamic colleagues and stakeholders at these and other organizations, Andrea has successfully built cultures, systems, teams, and strategies that have yielded tens of millions of philanthropic dollars to foster vibrant communities worldwide.

Passionate about her family, friends, and community, Andrea resides in Needham with her husband Adam, son Zachary, and labradoodle Tucker. The Wassermans are members of Temple Beth Shalom in Needham.

Mary Richman

Mary, her husband Jeff and three kids (Noa, Patrick and Evie) have lived in Needham since they moved here from DC in 2007.

Mary graduated from the University of Virginia where she studied Finance and Marketing. She now works as a part-time consultant, providing marketing and financial analysis services for a few local companies.

Mary became involved in the Needham Community through her work at Parent Talk, first as their Fundraising Chair and then as a Co-President for 2 years.

Prior to being on the Council Board, Mary was familiar with the Council through her volunteer work as PTC Co-President at the Mitchell School.

Alrie McNiff Daniels

Alrie has more than two decades of nonprofit experience. Currently director of communications and stakeholder engagement at Point32Health Foundation, she previously worked at FSG, a mission-driven consulting firm; the American Cancer Society; and as a strategic communications consultant. A certified Reframing Aging facilitator, Alrie works locally, regionally and nationally to help organizations communicate more effectively on aging, ageism and issues important to older people.

Alrie's community and volunteer service includes fundraising for established nonprofit organizations, board roles on neighborhood associations, pro bono support for emerging nonprofits and numerous roles at her children’s schools. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Library Foundation of Needham.

A native New Yorker, Alrie lived in Washington, DC; Alameda, CA; Chapel Hill, NC; Natick, MA; and Falls Church, VA, during her husband’s Coast Guard career. They moved to Needham in 2003.

Jonathan Kappel

Jonathan is the Executive Director of Principal Gifts for Clark University.

Previous to working at Clark, Jonathan worked as a fundraising professional at the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee and Clark University where he has returned after 10 years. Jonathan received the Senn-Greenberg award for excellence in staff leadership from the Anti-Defamation League.

Jonathan and his wife, Carol, co-created the Ultimate Pink Drink fundraiser benefiting breast cancer research. He is also a past board member of the Needham Educational Foundation (NEF).

Lynn-Gotwals

Lynn Gotwals has been a Needham resident for 23 years. She and her husband raised their two daughters here.

Lynn is a teacher at the Mitchell School in Needham. Previously, she worked in project management for several nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

Lynn's previous volunteer work includes serving on the boards of the Needham Education Foundation, Needham Steps Up and the Outreach Committee at the Congregational Church of Needham. She began working with the Community Council as a Team Captain for the Ride for Food, an annual ride to benefit food pantries in the area.

Lynn has a B.A. from Smith College and a M.Ed. from Lesley University.

Linda Farley

Secretary

Linda grew up in Needham; in 2000, she and her husband, Brian returned to Needham.

Linda has been active in Needham organizations including Newcomers, Parent Talk, and Needham Pool & Racquet Club. She’s also been involved in various school and youth sports activities through her 3 children who graduated from Needham High School.

Linda has been an HR professional for 30+ years including roles in high tech, consulting and healthcare; in 2018 Linda joined Needham Bank to lead its HR and Learning and Development team.

In addition to volunteering on the Board of the Needham Community Council, Linda serves on the Board of the Greater New England/National Multiple Sclerosis Society and participates on the Bike MS-Ride the Vineyard Committee and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

Diane DerMarderosian

Diane was born and raised in Needham.

Diane graduated from Amherst College and then attended the Mount Sinai School of Medicine where she was selected to be part of the Humanities and Medicine Program. She completed her residency training in pediatrics at Brown University where she is the Pediatric Director of the Hasbro Partial Hospital Program, an integrated, family-based day program for children with complex medical and psychological issues. She is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Previously, Diane served as the Medical Director of the Hasbro Children’s Hospital Eating Disorders Program and worked for many years as a primary care pediatrician at a health center in Roxbury.

Diane serves on the Patient and Family Centered Care Steering Committee at Hasbro, the Medical Advisory Board for Reach Out and Read RI, and the Patient and Family Centered Care Advisory Council at BID-Needham.

Diane lives in Needham with her husband, Peter, and sons PJ and Armen.

Margie Margolis

Past-President

Margie and her husband Jerry have lived in Needham since 1971 where they raised their children and enjoy their 4 grandchildren.

Margie has been a Town Meeting Member since 1970, and also served for four years on the Needham Education Foundation. She served on the Future School Needs Committee for sixteen years.

Margie taught first grade for twenty-three years at Hillside School. There she helped coordinate teachers and students with collecting food and goods that were delivered to the Council Food Pantry on a monthly basis. “When I retired, I was eager to be a part of the Council Board to be a stronger force in the over-all operation and to serve in any way I was needed.”

2021 will mark Margie’s seventh year on the Needham Community Council Board. Until COVID-19 hit, she continued to help schedule food deliveries with the Needham schools, and helped with the “Back to School Project” which usually takes place in August at the Council.

John Frantz

Treasurer

Currently retired, John was previously employed by The Boston Consulting Group. There he provided consulting services to major corporations, held a senior internal financial management position, and led an Investment Committee with oversight responsibility for the firm's U.S. retirement plans.

2022 marks John's seventh year on the Needham Community Council Board. He is also on the Board of the Charles River School, a preK-8 school in Dover, and New England Justice for Our Neighbors, a non-profit that welcomes and supports immigrants. He is active in service and outreach activities with Carter Memorial United Methodist Church in Needham, and serves as the chair of the church's endowment team, which oversees the church's endowment funds.

Kathleen Berner

Vice President

Kathleen is currently the Marketing Lead for Accenture in Boston & Hartford — a role she has held since May 2019.

Previously, Kathleen was the Senior Director of Services Marketing at Staples. She joined Staples in 2010 and held various leadership roles in marketing–driving stores, staples.com and salesforce performance. Prior to Staples, Kathleen started an in-house agency; managed customer service; and implemented an email program for the Upromise College Savings and Loyalty program. She also supported clients at Digitas in the online education, automotive and wireless industries.

Kathleen and her husband live in Needham with their three children. She has volunteered at The Council since 2016 as co-chair of the Annual Holiday Boutique.

In 2010, Kathleen managed fundraising for City of Hope’s Spirit of Life nominee. She currently serves on several committees for the Needham High School PTC and serves on the board of advisors at Research Institute for Learning & Development in Lexington.

Kathleen is a graduate of Tufts University and holds a master’s degree from the Boston College Carroll School of Management.

Lynn Alberding

President

Lynn joined the Board of the Needham Community Council in 2015. Prior to joining the Board, Lynn participated in the Council’s English Language Learners tutor training program and volunteered as a tutor with that program for several years. She worked as a one-on-one tutor, a leader of group classes, and as a program administrator. Lynn developed and taught several literature-based classes for Advanced English learners as well as a Beginners English class for Russian speakers, and formalized a process for matching students and tutors that resulted in hundreds of successful partnerships.

Lynn is the Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at William James College in Newton, MA. Prior to joining William James College, Lynn was the Director of Development at Wondermore, Inc., also in Newton, MA.

Lynn and her husband, Peter, raised three children who attended Needham Public Schools. From 2010 - 2020, Lynn was active volunteer in the Needham Public Schools, most notably with the Mitchell and Pollard PTCs and with the Needham High School Athletic Boosters and the Friends of Music.

Lynn holds a B.A. in Economics from Wesleyan University, and an M.S. in Accounting and an MBA from Northeastern University.

Robert Dermody

Past President

Robert J. Dermody was born and raised in Needham, MA. After graduating from Needham High School, he attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. Robert then pursued a Master of Architecture degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

Robert is very active in the Needham community as a Town Meeting Member, and with the Exchange Club. He also serves on the Design Review Board, and Community Preservation Committee.

Robert is a Professor of Architecture at Roger Williams University in Bristol Rhode Island, and is a licensed architect in Massachusetts. I

n his spare time, Bob is a volunteer docent with Boston By Foot, and a BayWatcher for the Coalition for Buzzards Bay. His grandmother, Frances K. Dermody, was the first Executive Director of the Needham Community Council, a position she held for 25 years.

Community Volunteer Resources

We are in the process of creating a community wide volunteer resource guide that will allow you and your family to find opportunities to help in Needham. Please check back again soon.