Poverty is not a new phenomenon and neither are efforts to address it arise from within and community and endure. In 1973 14 area faith-based Christian Catholic organizations decided to come together and create one central hub, the Manchester Area Conference of Churches, or MACC charities, to assist its neighbors with basic and emergency needs.
Located on Main Street in the heart of Manchester, MACC Charities has grown in 52 years and is now proudly serving around 350 families on a continuous basis, said CEO Shannon Baldassario.
“Our mission is building partnerships to break cycles of poverty in our community,” she said.
And the group helps others in a variety of programs and services, including a Community Emergency Food Pantry open five days a week, a Community Kitchen open to the public six days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and a Community Threads Thrift Shop, which offers a low to no cost shopping experience. There are also emergency services that can assist with rent, security deposits, utility support, medication and any other basic need that are not being met by any other organization.
To complete this mission the group relies on a community of staffers, volunteers and partners, said Baldassario.
“Including myself, we have six full time staff members, and three part time staff members on any given week… from 100 to 120 volunteers come in day in and day out…,” she said.
Partners include students, faculty and staff CT State Community College Manchester.
But MACC is always looking for more volunteers as the number of families coming in and out of the shelter is always fluctuating, but the need for new volunteers is constant, said Baldassario.
Talking about MACC is the best way for them to continue their work, she said.
“First and best go to our guest,” said Baldassario.
Donations to the charity are always needed, especially pasta, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese, as well as ingredients to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Plastic water bottles are also a staple item that is always needed. A list, including an Amazon Wishlist, can also be found on the website, https://macc-ct.org/.
Plans are in the works for ways to celebrate and support the 52 years the group has supported the community with a breakfast meeting Friday, June 27, from 9 – 11 a.m. at the American Legion Hall, 20 American Legion Drive, in Manchester.
“We are looking for sponsors… we have four tiers of sponsorship levels that anybody can become a part of. We are also looking for raffle basket items,” said Baldassario.
