MACC provides Starter Kits for Community Members in Need

In conjunction with the Community Threads Thrift Shoppe, the MACC Community Outreach Manager, Shannon Baldassario provides Starter Kits for people in need in the Manchester Community. Starter Kits are available for individuals and families who are moving into Manchester housing who have previous been homeless or at risk of homelessness. Start Kits are equipped with everything a person would need to succeed in their new housing placement. Items include pots, pan, dishes, silverware, and other kitchen supplies, linens, laundry supplies, and bathroom supplies.

MACC receives referrals from the town for Starter Kits and also gains information about people who need Starter Kits from talking with our clients in the Community Kitchen. Baldassario speaks with each client about family size, and housing type. Thrift Shop volunteers are then asked to create the baskets and set them aside for the individual or family to pick up.

When asked about why she thinks this is one of the most important parts of her job, Baldassario states, “It is important here to give a hand up on basic needs. We give people the tools to survive in their new living situation and hopefully it gives them a better outlook moving forward”

In the last quarter Baldassario has put together 8 starter kits for people moving into the Manchester Community.

Recently, the Penny Saver Thrift Shoppe in Manchester closed and they donated all of their inventory to MACC Charities including plates, cups, mugs, silverware, laundry baskets, and other essential items. This sizable donation greatly increased the variety and the amount of items available to the clients.

MACC is always in need of donations for the Starter Kit program, especially things such as pots, pans, baking sheets, utensils, bathroom supplies, and bed sheets. Donations can be brought to the MACC Community Threads Thrift Shoppe between the hours of 10am-2pm Monday-Saturday, and during the extended hours on Thursday until 7pm.