November 2025 NN Newsletter

Hello, Neighbors! As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re reminded of the importance of gratitude, community, and giving. This season, Newton Neighbors is once again launching the Bruce Hugh Wilson Giving Thanks Gift Card Drive, and we invite you to join us in supporting local families in need. For the past six years, Newton Neighbors has organized a grocery gift card drive to offer relief and joy during this special holiday time. Thanks to your generosity, last year we raised over $25,000, helping more than 300 families in Newton and surrounding communities with essentials like food—plus a little extra comfort. This year, we are hoping to raise the same amount, or more, so that we may serve as many families as we possibly can. With your help, we know we can do it!

Honoring Bruce Hugh Wilson

Our drive is named in memory of Bruce Wilson, who was instrumental in launching this gift card drive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bruce passed away unexpectedly in 2024 while running in his beloved West Newton neighborhood. Thanksgiving was especially meaningful to Bruce and his family, who always welcomed others to their table. We are honored that his loved ones have chosen to continue his legacy through this drive. Bruce’s deep commitment to our community and to Newton Neighbors has made a lasting impact. Please click here to donate: Make a Donation | Newton Neighbors. If you or someone you know would benefit from receiving a gift card, please contact the Newton Social Services Division at 617-796-1420 or speak with your child’s NPS school social worker. Thank you for your continued generosity during this season of giving and helping to spread the spirit of Thanksgiving! Together, we can ensure more families gather around a table filled with warmth, nourishment, and hope. 

SNAP Runs Out of Money November 1

As we write this newsletter, we are thinking about our neighbors whose SNAP benefits will be running out on November 1st. Just over 1 million Massachusetts residents will be affected, or 1 in 6 of our neighbors. Here in Newton, our two pantries, Newton Food Pantry and Centre Street Food Pantry, are poised and ready to meet the challenge. The Community Freedge will continue to be available as a resource 24/7. Additional resources are mobilizing. We encourage you to reach out to our City Social Services staff at 617-796-1420 if you or someone you know needs help. And we urge you to help if you are in a position to do so. Donate food to the Freedge, donate cash or food to the pantries. Much like when Newton Neighbors began during Covid, our very active Facebook group, Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors, will be a resource for seekers and helpers: we encourage you to use it if you are in need, can help, or are looking for information. Newton Neighbors began in a crisis, and we proved that when we work together, we are all better for it. Let’s prove it again!

Call for Volunteers: Food Pantry Delivery

Help deliver groceries from local food pantries to our neighbors who are unable to get to the pantries on their own. This is an important initiative for Newton Neighbors and we can always use more hands (and cars). If you are able to help, we would be most grateful! It usually takes about an hour of your time and makes a big difference to so many in our community.

Our schedule is:

• Tuesdays from Centre Street Food Pantry. Pickup time 2:15 – 2:45.

• Wednesdays from Newton Food Pantry. Scheduled pickups between 12:15 – 2:45.

Sign up for November:https://volunteersignup.org/KL4BQ

Call for Volunteers: Freedge

Every Thursday, Newton Neighbors coordinates donations to the Newton Community Freedge, Newton Food Pantry’s community refrigerator and pantry initiative. Volunteer opportunities throughout the day include picking up donations from business partners and bringing them to the Freedge, and cleaning and maintaining the Freedge. Located in the parking lot of Central Cleaners at 420 Watertown Street in Nonantum, the Freedge is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and offers free food and personal-care items to neighbors in need. Please sign up here to help: FREEDGE Volunteers November/December 2025 signup 

How to Volunteer at NCE

Love Newton? Newton Community Education (NCE) is seeking volunteers to support its mission of providing classes, clubs, and camps for all ages. Opportunities range from finance and office support to afterschool site coordination, community outreach, fundraising, and substitutes for clubs. Volunteers play a vital role in helping NCE deliver quality programming and exceptional service to the Newton community. Want more information? Go to newtoncommunityed.org/volunteer.

Volunteer at the Cooper Center

The Cooper Center for Active Living is seeking volunteers as they prepare for its grand opening in December 2025! 

Whether you’re passionate about helping others, enjoy being in the kitchen, or simply love making meaningful connections with others, there is a role for you at the Cooper Center. Some of the exciting new opportunities include transportation navigators, kitchen helpers, greeters and tour guides, customer service support, program leader or facilitator, or technology tutor. 

Learn more at the next Volunteer Information Session on Wednesday, November 5th, 5:00 pm, at the Newton Free Library. Your RSVP is required. Please call 617-796-1675, stop by the front desk at 20 Hartford Street, Newton Highlands, or email your RSVP to OASprograms@newtonma.gov.  

Community Happenings

Pumpkin Smash

Saturday, November 1, 1 - 4 pm Newton City Hall Wall Memorial Circle

The City of Newton’s 6th Annual Pumpkin Smash is happening on November 1 from 1 - 4 pm at the Newton City Hall War Memorial Circle! Stop by to smash your pumpkins, touch a truck, donate unwanted Halloween candy or costumes, and grab a bite to eat from a local food truck—all while learning about managing your food waste and composting! 

All pumpkins will be composted. Please remove any candles or other decorations from your pumpkins before bringing them to this smashing event. 

Reminder! Municipal Elections

Tuesday, November 4

Let your voice be heard and counted as Newton elects its new mayor, School Committee, and City Council. Also on the ballot is a question regarding the repeal of the City’s seasonal overnight parking ban.

For more information about the elections, go tolwvnewton.orgfor the League of Women Voters guide. Not sure where to vote? Go tohttps://www.newtonma.gov/government/elections.

Scarecrow Stroll

November 8 and 9, 11 am - 3 pmNahanton Park, 455 Nahanton Street

Newton’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture invites you to a Scarecrow Stroll on November 8 & 9, at Nahanton Park, 455 Nahanton Street. Open from 11 - 3 on both days. Stroll through the scarecrows, do some fun fall crafts, and vote for your favorite scarecrow! Join us for a family friendly free fall adventure!

Celebrate 150 Years of Newton Library

November 8, 10 am - 4 pm330 Homer Street, Newton

Did you know that the Newton Free Library is turning 150 years old this November? The library will celebrate this milestone on November 8th with a day filled with family activities. Stop by between 10 - 4 for a scavenger hunt, custom crossword puzzles, craft activities, and more, plus concerts at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Come share your memories of the library and of your favorite books!

Newton Children's Book Festival

Sunday, November 16, 11 am - 3 pm

New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newtonville

Grow readers in the Garden City! Come to the New Art Center on November 16 for the Newton Children's Book Festival and meet 60+ children's book authors and illustrators. More info atnewtonchildrensbookfest.com.

Newton at Home Benefit Concert

Sunday, November 16, 3 - 5 pmScandinavian Living Center, 206 Waltham St, West Newton

Join Newton at Home for a benefit concert by the Scandinavian Living Center on November 18. Chamber Music for Your Cause will perform music by Brahms, Bruch, Bernstein, and Williams. Purchase tickets at https://newton.helpfulvillage.com/events/251-concert-by-chamber-music-for-your-cause.  

Run or Volunteer at the Turkey Trot

Sunday, November 238:30 am: 1-mile kids fun run 9:00 am: 5k

Register today to RUN or volunteer at Newton Turkey Trot! Help raise funds to alleviate food insecurity in our City. Sign up atnewtonturkeytrot.org.

Service Stars Winter Vacation Program

Registration is now open to children between grades K - 6. The days will be filled with service and fun, including baking and decorating cupcakes for a New Year’s Eve party at a local senior center. Go to https://www.servicestarskids.org/ for more information. 

December Preview 

Ukrainian Art Show and Sale

Sunday, December 7, 2 - 6 pm

New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newtonville

Come see what Ukrainian artists are continuing to create in the face of war and continuous bombardment. Ukraine Forwardis sponsoring an exhibition and sale of Ukrainian fine arts and one-of-a-kind handicrafts at the New Art Center on December 7, 2 - 6 pm. Items for show and sale include paintings and graphic art by Ukrainian and Ukrainian-American artists as well as ceramics, wood, and textile objects crafted by artisans in Ukraine and the diaspora.

Admission to the exhibition is free. All proceeds from the sale will go towards the purchase of battlefield robot rescuers and evacuation vehicles for Ukraine's frontline defenders. 

Ukraine Forward is a Boston-based, all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine Forward has raised over $2.2 million for medical and humanitarian supplies for frontline troops, communities, and hospitals.

Want to learn about more great events happening in and around Newton? Go to https://figcitynews.com/ and https://www.newtonbeacon.org/ for a full listing of local events.With thanks for your continuing support, we wish you a holiday season filled with joy and gratitude!The Newton Neighbors Team