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

Recent Announcements

New Sign Up Deadlines:

Signups for Monday pick ups will close promptly at 2 pm on Friday.
Signups for Wednesday pick ups will close promptly at 2 pm on Tuesday.

To our Households who are having their food orders delivered:

We are only able to deliver food to households who have NO other means to pick up.
Masks must be worn when your food is delivered.
If you are not home or do not pick up the phone at your scheduled delivery day YOUR FOOD WILL NOT BE LEFT.

Food Pantry Shopping Basics

Our food pantry is well stocked and we will always have food available for our customers. All food pick-ups will continue to be contact-free 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

Contact Free 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 food will be distributed in pre-packed boxes
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
Masks must be work when your food is delivered
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 fresh fruits and vegetables.

Can Goods	Meats-Frozen	Dairy	Boxed Goods/Cleaning
Canned Vegetables	Chicken Parts	Eggs	Juice
Applesauce/Dried Fruit	Whole Chicken	Mile (whole or 2%)	Cereal/Oatmeal
Peanut Butter/Jelly	Ground Beef	Cheese	Rice/Pasta
Shelf Stable 1% Milk	Ground Turkey		Coffee/Tea
Tomato Sauce			Snacks
Canned Fish			Toilet Paper
Canned Beans			Paper Towels

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.

Hygiene/Cleaning	Oil	More Groceries
Diapers (Adult or Youth)	Oil	Baby Food
Feminine Products	Ensure/Nutrition Drink	K-Cup Coffee
Wipes	Butter	Cake Mixes & Frosting
Toothbrush/Toothpaste	Yogurt	Gluten Free Products
Body Soap (Bar/Liquid)	Bread	Baking Goods (Flour/Sugar)
Shampoo	Fish (Frozen)	Frozen Dinners
Laundry Soap	Mac & Cheese
Dish Liquid	Easy Prepare Meals
Spray Surface Cleaner	Soup
Kleenex/Tissue
Razors

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

Birthday Program

During their birthday month, each child of your household (18 & under) will receive a gift certificate to Learning Express or TJ Maxx.

local-restuarant-gift-certificate-program

Holiday Meals & Gifts

Our Holiday planning is underway! Stay tuned and check back here in early November to sign up for your Thanksgiving and Holiday programs.

Community Farm Mobile Market

Free produce direct from the Needham Community Farm coming to your home.

Hours & Locations

Other Available Resources

Rent or Utility Help

Are you struggling with your utilites or heating bills? The Gift of Warmth program is here to help please contact Tiffany at the Needham Health Department at 781-455-7940 ext. 217

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

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

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

New Customers

Eligibility During COVID

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.

We will not be 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

Eligibility During Normal Operations

(Note: These requirements are not active at this time)

Standard Eligibility Requirements

Please complete the application forms (in the next section) and then make an appointment with one of the agencies listed below:

The Needham Public Health Department (781-455-7940 Ext. 217). Note: you should leave a message and they will call you back.
The Needham Housing Authority (781-444-3011).
A social worker at the Council on Aging at the Center at the Heights: if you are 62 or older (781‑455‑7555).

You must be a resident of Needham and all registered family members must live in the household.
You must meet income eligibility requirements. In general, if you meet the fuel assistance guidelines you will be eligible to use the Food Pantry. We may make exceptions for unusual circumstances. Call us.
You must have a written letter of referral from one of the agencies listed above.
Eligibility for the Food Pantry program is determined by one of the three agencies listed above; based on the income guidelines document in this link: Food Assistance Income Eligibility Guidelines.

Registration Forms

Each family must submit both a Registration Form and an Income Verification Form:

If you have any questions, contact the Food Pantry at 781-444-2415 Ext. 1050.

Live outside of Needham?
Call the Project Bread Food Source Hotline @ 1‑800-377-1292 or visit projectbread.org

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

Mobile Market Locations & Hours

The Needham Community Farm's Mobile Market is open to any Food Pantry Customer including those who do not live in Housing. With an assortment of freshly picked fruits and vegetables to choose from, this is a chance to shop for healthy food. It's recommended you bring a shop bag to bring your food home in.

Robert Cook Drive
Every Tuesday 5 pm - 5:30 pm

Seabeds Way
Every Tuesday 5:30 pm - 6 pm

Chambers & Linden Street
Every Friday 3 pm - 4 pm

Food Drives

While we are not accepting private food donations, we are opening up to dedicated Food Drives. If you or an organization would like to have a food drive, we will ask that the food be limited to the items we need most during that time. These items are typically items we find it hard to purchase affordably.

Please check that food that is donated to your food drive has not expired!
We can not distribute food that is past it's expiration date.

Items we are currently in need of:

Olive Oil	Coffee	Tea (Individually wrapped)
Breakfast Cereal	Tuna	Laundry Detergent
Tomato Paste	Real Mayonnaise	Household Cleaning Products
Sugar	Protein Bars

Please check that food that is donated to your food drive has not expired! We can not distribute food that is past it's expiration date.

Food may be dropped off at the Council during our office hours. Larger food drives should contact the office at office@needhamcouncil.org

Current Hours

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

Thrift Donation Site:
Monday & Friday	10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday & Thursday	10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday	10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Thrift Shop:
Monday & Friday	10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday & Thursday	10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday	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.

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.

Diane Retzky

Diane has over 20 years of experience in human resources and is responsible for all aspects of HR at New England Development where she has worked since 2008. She spearheads the company’s recruitment and retention initiatives and works closely with New England Development’s family of companies, including MarketPlace Development, Nantucket Island Resorts, and Newburyport Development, on their human resources needs.

Diane received a B.S. degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and her M.B.A. from Babson College.

Diane is a member of Society for Human Resource Management and a member of CREW Boston, New England’s leading network of professional women working in commercial real estate. 2021 will mark her seventh year on the Council Board.

Alrie McNiff Daniels

Alrie has more than two decades of nonprofit experience. Currently the senior communications officer at Tufts Health Plan Foundation, she previously worked at FSG, a mission-driven consulting firm; the American Cancer Society; and as a freelance writer/communications consultant.

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. Alrie has produced school talent shows, managed logistics for school publications, coordinated teacher/staff appreciation events, and served as a room parent, classroom volunteer, Cub Scout den parent and Girl Scout leader. She also sat 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.

Andrew McCollum

Andrew is a Partner and Managing Director at Greenwich Associates, the global research-based consultancy. Andrew oversees the firm’s global Investment Management practice and is responsible for managing relationships with leading asset managers and investment consultants.

With over 20 years of consulting to the asset management industry, Andrew has experience advising clients on a variety of distribution, marketing and product issues. He has recently led advisory engagements on global growth assessments, entering the institutional market, brand equity analyses, product positioning and messaging, thought leadership program design and execution, and private equity fundraising. He has also authored studies on opportunities and threats in the Outsourced CIO market, trends in the ETF marketplace and developments in the defined contribution market. In addition, Andrew oversees the Firm’s work with institutional investors in North America and the subscription-based information service, Greenwich ACCESS™ for Asset Managers. He frequently delivers keynote presentations at industry conferences and is quoted in mainstream and industry publications.

Before joining the Firm in 2009, Andrew was a Managing Director at Chatham Partners and was responsible for managing the company’s research and consulting relationships with asset managers and defined contribution record-keepers. Prior to that, he worked in the Financial Services and Corporate Strategy Practices at CEB (Corporate Executive Board) advising firms on strategy development, strategic planning, M&A, and competitive intelligence, among other topics.

Andrew received his BA in Political Science from Cornell University and his MBA from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University. Andrew lives in Needham, Massachusetts with his wife and two daughters.

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

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.

Linda is currently a volunteer for the Community Council/Dressing Well Foundation Karma Project.

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.

Priscilla Dasse

Priscilla has donated her time by volunteering at the Needham Community Council thrift shop and food pantry since 2012.

Priscilla received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, R.N from Boston College, and her Masters in Public Health from Boston University.

Some accomplishments in Priscilla's career include working as: a U.S. Navy Lieutenant (1969-1972); a nurse epidemiologist at Boston City Hospital (1972-1974); an Associate Director at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston (1974-1991); a Trustee at Deaconess Glover Hospital ( 1991-1998), Senior Vice President at CRICO/Risk Management Foundation, Harvard Medical Institutions (1998-2001); Senior Faculty Investigator at the Institute of Health Policy, Partners and Massachusetts General Hospital (2002); Senior Vice President, Performance Improvement and Chief Quality Officer at Cambridge Health Alliance (2002-2012); and a consultant in patient safety at Partners Healthcare System (2012-2014).

2021 will mark Priscilla’s eighth year on the Board of the Needham Community Council.

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.

2021will mark John’s seventh year on the Needham Community Council Board. He also does work with the Carter Memorial United Methodists Church where he is the Chair of missions/outreach team. They pursue a range of initiatives to help a variety of local, national and internal services and charitable organizations, including the Needham Community Council. John is also a Chair of the endowment team, which oversees the church’s endowment funds.

When he is not working and volunteering John likes to run triathlons.

Kathleen Berner

Secretary

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

Vice President

Lynn has donated her time by volunteering at the Needham Community Council as an ESL tutor since 2011. In 2012, she developed an assessment tool with which to gauge the needs of prospective ESL students. Using this tool, Lynn has met with hundreds of prospective ESL students and has worked to help make successful matches with volunteer tutors.

Since 2015, Lynn has worked as the Director of Development at Wondermore, a non-profit whose mission is to bring authors and illustrators into underserved Boston public schools for curriculum-aligned classroom visits.

Prior to joining Wondermore, Lynn was active in the PTC in the Needham public schools and with the Needham High School Athletic Boosters.

Lynn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wesleyan University, and M.S. in Accounting and MBA from Northeastern University. Lynn worked as an equity analyst from 1997-2004, when she and her husband and their three children moved to Zurich, Switzerland.

Lynn's experience as a foreigner, learning a new language and customs, made a strong impression on her and served as the catalyst for volunteering in the Council’s ESL program. 2021 will mark Lynn’s seventh year on the Board of the Needham Community Council.

Robert Dermody

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.