The Needham Community Council Food Pantry is feeding more families than ever and running low on supplies heading into the season when demand peaks and donations drop.

The pantry serves 410 Needham households, roughly 950 people, according to Maureen Callahan, the council's director of development and public relations. That's a 14% jump from a year ago and the highest caseload in the pantry's history.

"It's about a 14% increase over last year, which is a lot and we don't see that going down," Callahan told the Needham Observer on Tuesday, July 15. She pointed to changes in federal SNAP eligibility as a key driver. "That's going to drive more people to us."

Summer compounds the problem. Schools close, eliminating free breakfasts and lunches that many families depend on. Residents leave town. Donations dry up.

The council is asking neighbors, students, families and organizations to run food drives of any size through the summer months. Callahan said the drives can be as simple as a student posting a flyer and collecting cans on their street, or a family leaving a bin at the end of their driveway. One resident turned a 60th birthday party into a collection event, asking guests for pantry donations instead of gifts.

What's needed most

The pantry's urgent list includes olive oil, protein drinks and bars, trail mix, snack bars, gluten-free items, jarred spaghetti sauce, salad dressing, condiments, white tuna, coffee, tea, laundry detergent and household cleaning products. Callahan noted that snack foods and lunch-box items are especially critical when kids lose access to school meals.

How to help

Food drive drop-offs are accepted on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the pantry, located at 570 Hillside Ave. Organizers should complete the Food Drive Interest Form at needhamcouncil.org and call ahead at 781-444-2415.

The pantry itself operates by appointment only. Regular hours for clients are Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:20 to 6:40 p.m., and two Saturdays per month from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The council also runs a Mobile Market in partnership with the Needham Community Farm, delivering fresh produce to Needham Housing Authority neighborhoods every Tuesday and Thursday through October.