Dear Neighbors,
February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s long on love. At Newton Neighbors, our community doesn’t wait until February to show how much we care for each other. In small and big acts of kindness, you show your care all year round. Here are just a few examples:
A kind Newton Neighbor recently went shopping to purchase groceries for a family when their food pantry drop-off was misplaced.
A group of caring women in our community came together to coordinate monthly diaper deliveries for a local mom.
Though the temperatures plummeted to -10 degrees, the Centre Street Food Pantry volunteers opened their doors and our dedicated and kind Newton Neighbors volunteers cheerfully loaded their cars with food to deliver to neighbors.
Three of our local businesses (Fulfilled Goods, Cork and Board, and Just Next Door) opened their doors to us to collect food for the Newton Community Freedge.
Love is in the air all year at Newton Neighbors in the many ways in which you support one another!
YES, ALREADY–OUR FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR IS APPROACHING!
It’s February and who knows what the temperature is today, but we are thinking about the sunny, hot days of summer and our camp scholarship program!
This will be our third summer bridging the scholarship gap for students attending camps in Newton. Thanks to you, we have sent more than 50 students to camp in the last two years. We hope to send as many children as we can again this year.
We know, and you know, that camp matters. Summer is a critical time for children to learn, grow, and play. We were thrilled to hear from Channon Ames, the Director of Newton’s Parks and Recreation, about the impact of our initiative on Newton students. She said, “…Your fundraising efforts help to ensure that more kids are able to participate in our summer programs and we are truly grateful for that."
Thank you for your continued support for this vital program. We hope to raise at least $7,500 and our (fingers-crossed) goal is $10,000! The more we raise, the more children we can send to camp. Every contribution counts.
Click here to make a tax-deductible contribution to summer camp 2023. And thanks for being a great neighbor and helping send kids to camp!
FOOD PANTRY DELIVERY: CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
We are looking for volunteers to help us deliver from food pantries in Newton to families who are unable to access the pantries themselves. We need drivers for March and April. Bring your kids!
Delivery usually takes about an hour to complete. You can sign up to deliver during one or more of the following times:
Wednesday afternoons from Newton Food Pantry, pick up food at assigned times between 12:15 - 2:45pm.
The third Friday of the month from Post 440 Mobile Food Bank. Pick up food between 9am - 9:15am before they open to the public.
The first Saturday of the month from Centre Street Food Pantry, pick up food between 1:30 - 2:30pm after the pantry has been open to the public.
The Freedge is going strong and we continue to take care of Thursdays. If you are shopping, it is so helpful to pick up an item or two for the Freedge! Some of the most needed items are milk, eggs, yogurt, butter, flour, cereal, soap, cooking oil, pasta, and mac and cheese. You can bring items or stop by to clean/organize any time, any day, but If you have some time to give on Thursdays, please go to our volunteer signup sheet here.
BULK FOOD DELIVERY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
NN’s bulk food delivery program is looking for short- and long-term volunteers to join us in delivering fresh produce from local food rescue organizations to MetroWest and South Area food pantries. Help bridge that last link in the distribution chain and provide good food to so many who need it. Commitments range from once in a while to once every 4-6 weeks, or even more. Please reach out to us at newtonneighborshelping@gmail.com to volunteer or find out more.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR DRIVE FOR FIVE
Our Drive for Five for the Newton Community Freedge was a big success thanks to your support and the support of three local businesses. Thank you for your help in feeding neighbors!
FAMILY ACCESS IS HERE FOR YOUR FAMILY
Visit Family Access of Newton’s website for information and to register for their counseling and consultation services. Programs include weekly Zoom workshops on Circle of Security Parenting and Women’s Money Matters financial literacy, among many others.
TAX PREPARATION RESOURCES AT NEWTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Newton Senior Center’s AARP Tax Program is designed to primarily serve low and moderate income taxpayers, with some limits on the scope of the returns that can be prepared. This service is primarily for seniors who typically go to the Newton Senior Center for tax assistance.
Space permitting, appointments will be available Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm in Room C on the second floor in the Newton Free Library. This temporary location is being used while the new Senior Center is under construction.
To schedule a tax appointment, seniors should call the Tax Appointment Request line at
617-796-1662 and leave their name and phone number. Someone from the Senior Center will return their call to set up an appointment. Appointments are required.
For more information about the Senior Center tax program call Elizabeth Lund, Outreach & Engagement Coordinator of the Senior Center, at 617-796-1665.
VOTE BY MAIL APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
To vote by mail in the upcoming March 14 Special Election and all 2023 municipal elections, request your application from the Newton City Hall website. The deadline to request a ballot for the March 14th Election is Tuesday, March 7th at 5 p.m.
A REMINDER ABOUT THE MARCH 14 SPECIAL ELECTION
On March 14, Newton voters will be asked to weigh in on three ballot questions on tax override to support our schools, parks, senior services, roads and sidewalks, and other city programs and infrastructure. Question 1 includes a $4.5M increase for the Newton Public Schools budget. Questions 2 and 3 are debt exclusions for rebuilding two NPS elementary schools in poor condition. More information is available on the City Hall website and many online forums.
SHOW NEWTON’S SMALL BUSINESSES SOME L-O-V-E
Valentine’s Day is over, but you can still treat yourself and others. Visit All Over Newton’s Lovefest page–everything from pastries and chocolate to flowers and jewelry to workouts and spas. Support our small businesses and get some great gift ideas for all year round!
Thank you for all the ways you love your neighbors!
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