Meet Beth Stafford, Executive Director/CEO of MACC Charities

I met Beth Stafford during my first term as a member of the Manchester Board of Directors at a meet and greet with town staff in 1996. At that time the town handled the general assistance program and Beth was a social worker for the Human Services Department. I was very impressed then by her positive attitude and her sincerity of purpose. After taliking to Beth last week, it is very clear that her entusiasm to help others has not changed, now that she is the Executive Director of Manchester Area Conference of Churches Charities and President of Manchester Rotary.

Timothy Becker: How did you get started in social work?

Beth Stafford: In elementary school I always wanted to give my winter coat away to a classmate that didn't have one. In 7th grade a social studies teacher in Michigan introduced us to social work. I loved the thought of making a difference. I went on to major in social work at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. I started working with migrant workers in Arkansas for White County Social Services.

Timothy Becker: What brought you to Manchester?

Beth Stafford: My husband was working for Chevrolet in Flint, Michigan, and got laid off. My Mother-in-law who lives in Springfield, Massachusetts, started sending us help wanted ads. My husband got a job offer with Suisman and Blumenthal in Hartford. We moved to Manchester in 1980. I worked for Head Start in Windsor and Bloomfield and also worked for Mt. Sinai Hospital in Child and Adolescent Psych Services . I then took a position with the Town of Manchester as a social worker and Director of Social Services. In 1999, I became the Executive Director of MACC.

Timothy Becker: What changes have you and your Board of Directors made since becoming Executive Director of MACC?

Beth Stafford: We brought MACC from a well intentioned volunteer agency in 1999 to an efficient, well run small business. We got clear on our mission and narrowed our mission to food, shelter, clothing, and advocacy. We went through the painful process of determining whether it was our mission or not. We gave away everything that other people were doing better. Grant programs that didn't fit our mission, we gave to other non-profits. I meet with other Executive Directors so that we can can help each other. I have been helped by March Inc., The Lutz, and MARC Inc.

Timothy Becker: How did you get involved with Rotary?

Beth Stafford: John Padbury, a MACC Board Member and long serving Rotarian, asked me to join. I served as Secretary for two years and I was then asked to take the Presidency.

Timothy Becker: What is Rotary?

Beth Stafford: Rotary is an International Service Organization best know for it's work on eradication of Polio. Rotary is still working in India, Pakistan, and Iran, the only countries left in the world where Polio still exists. Now Rotary is working on clean water projects in third world countries. In most of those countries women and children carry water 30 to 40 miles each day. We have done this for six villages in Guatemala and we are fundraising to help a seventh village. In Manchester we have 45 members that are mostly business people. We meet every Tuesday at Manchester Country Club at 6 p.m. We also give every sixth grader in Manchester a dictionary, and we are helping Illing School with a “battle of the books.”

Timothy Becker: How do the two organizations work together?

Beth Stafford: Rotary member and MACC Board member John Padbury couldn't stand kids having to drink powdered milk. He asked how much would money be needed to get fresh milk for the families.

Fresh milk cost $8000 per year and he raised it though Rotary. Since 2009 Rotary has been sponsoring the John Padbury Memorial Milk Fund in his honor. At the Thanksgiving Day race, walkers, joggers, and runners are sponsored by friends, families and corporations. We expect to raise $10,000 for the milk fund this year.

Timothy Becker: What is planned for next year at MACC Charities?

Beth Stafford: We expect to open our one-stop-shop. On our campus we will have all of our services at one location. The Church Mouse, which is our clothing store, will have a new location behind the food pantry. Our other goal is to expand a nutrition instruction program with a UCONN extension nutritionist and a restaurant chef who will be teaching our families how to cook. We encourage families to sit at the dinner table. We then give the families the groceries so that they can cook the meal at home.

Also, Manchester Community College has given us space at their community garden. The fresh produce will be used at the food pantry and the soup kitchen.

Timothy Becker: How would you describe MACC's mission?

Beth Stafford: During a crisis or emergency, we help you through it.

Timothy Becker: Are you looking for volunteers?

Beth Stafford: Always! We love help. We work with MCC, MHS, and all the elementary schools. Call Jackie Campion at 860-288-4256 anytime.