Dear Neighbors,
Summer is here! We hope you are enjoying the longer days and warmer weather. There are a number of ways to help and connect throughout June and early July - including bike and t-shirt drives, volunteer opportunities to help with food access, and more. Please read on below!
Bike drive - Sunday, June 27, and Saturday, July 10
We are collecting new or gently used bikes for kids in need, for distribution through one of our partners in Waltham. We are also collecting funds to purchase bike helmets and bike locks for these kids.
Please check here for a list of requested bike sizes along with ages and genders of the kids. If you have a bike to donate that matches the need, please sign up for that item, as well as for a dropoff time slot.
Drop-off location: 44 Hansen Road, Waltham, MA 02451. Newton Neighbors will be there during the below times to receive your bike.
Drop-off dates:
Sunday, June 27, 10am – 12 noon
Saturday, July 10, 3pm – 6pm
If you would like to donate a bike but cannot make either dropoff date, please contact us at NewtonNeighborsHelping@gmail.com.
These bikes are going directly to children, so we can only accept bikes that are ready to go or will be ready with a minor tuneup. If you have any questions about whether your donation is acceptable, please contact us at NewtonNeighborsHelping@gmail.com. If the bike has flat or worn-out tires but is otherwise in good shape, we will accept it but request that you bring a new tire or tubes as part of your donation.
Don’t have a bike to pass on but still want to help?
Help buy a helmet or lock by making a donation here through our fiscal sponsor, Newton Community Pride. A child’s bike helmet costs $25 on average and a bike lock costs $15, but we will gratefully accept donations of any amount! After purchasing the items, any excess funds will be donated to Bikes Not Bombs (https://bikesnotbombs.org/).
Thank you for your support – let’s help kids in our community have fun riding bikes this summer!
T-shirt drive - Wednesday, June 23 – Friday July 2
NNHN is excited to partner with Cradles to Crayons to donate clean t-shirts to the many children and teens needing them this summer. We are collecting new or gently used t-shirts for children from infant sizes through adult size medium. Used t-shirts must be washed and placed in bags labelled with the size. Please donate only clean and good-quality items.
WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING T-SHIRTS at this time! Thank you for your generosity.
Three Newton drop-off locations:
137 Annawan Road, Waban
39 Walsh Road, Oak Hill
33 Hamlin Road, near City Hall off Comm Ave.
Food pantry home deliveries
Additional Drivers needed in July and August for contactless grocery delivery from local food pantries to families who can’t get to a pantry themselves. We need a few extra drivers and backup drivers on Wednesdays and one Friday and Saturday per month to ensure that we can continue to support these families without interruption through the summer months. Please sign up here.
Freedge donations and volunteer opportunities
Donate: The Newton Community Freedge, a free, outdoor refrigerator and pantry, is located in the parking lot of Central Drapery and Dry Cleaning at 420 Watertown Street in Nonantum. Please donate fresh and non-perishable food as well as supplies such as diapers and hygiene items. Donation guidelines here.
Volunteer: Newton Neighbors is also looking for volunteers to keep the Freedge stocked and clean every other Thursday. Shifts are available from early morning to late at night. Help pickup donations from a business partner, keep the Freedge tidy for clients, or help by doing a late night stock up of refrigerated staples. There’s something for everyone!
Sign up here:
August 5 https://volunteersignup.org/8Q847
August 19 https://volunteersignup.org/XJPYK
For a more detailed explanation of volunteer responsibilities, or to learn more about the Freedge, go to http://www.newtonfoodpantry.org/newton-freedge/.
Newton Swap Shop is open—no appointment necessary
Friday and Saturday. 7:30am – 1:30pm through October 30
The Newton Swap Shop is open with no appointment necessary. Clear out clutter without adding to the waste stream. The Swap Shop is located at the Newton Resource Recovery Center. Drop off clean, usable, working, unwanted items for reuse, or come to take usable goods for your personal use.
And finally—don’t miss Newton Open Studios!
Newton Open Studios is OUTSIDE this year. 80+ artists, out in their yards, all across Newton. Explore, Buy, Browse!
June 26, 11am – 5pm (rain date June 27)
In particular, please check out three local artists who are supporting Newton Neighbors through their sales this weekend. Thanks to Lisa Monahan and Kim Spencer (both at 1105 Walnut Street), two artists who are donating 20% of their Open Studios sales to us. And thanks to our own Bruce Wilson of NNHN (52 Sewall Street), who is also donating 20%.
Enjoy Open Studios, have a great beginning of summer, and stay safe!
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Newton Neighbors accepts tax-deductible donations through our fiscal agent, Newton Community Pride. If you would like to make a donation, please do so here. Thank you for your support! Welcoming Newton and Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors are projects of Newton Neighbors, Inc.