Thirty Year Thursday: Ken MacLean

To celebrate our thirtieth year anniversary, we’re interviewing a friend of MAC each Thursday for thirty weeks as part of a series call “Thirty Year Thursday.” This week, we interviewed Ken MacLean, thirteen year MAC volunteer.

How did you first find out about MAC?

Through St. Mark’s Methodist Church, one of MAC’s supporting congregations.

What initially drew you to volunteer?

I liked MAC’s mission of working with housed clients to prevent homelessness. It seemed like a good fit. I was also recently retired and looking for somewhere to get involved.

What kept you coming back?

I began as a food pantry volunteer. I have always abhorred wasting food, so I also picked up leftover baked goods at Kroger to give away to our clients. Eventually, I fell into the role of taking calls. I have a knack for screening clients over the phone. The safeguards we put up at MAC, like calling landlords about each rent assistance case, ensure that we help people who are in genuine need.

How has your experience at MAC influenced you?

I understand so much more about low-income working people, who I knew nothing about before. I had ideas, but I never really had the opportunity to talk to someone experiencing the kinds of financial crisis our clients face. It also showed what a need there is for affordable homes and employment to pay for these homes.

Do you have a favorite story from your time at MAC?

I think answering the phone and pre-screening cases has shown me how much time and travel we save clients through our process. Choosing to do that helps clients conserve resources.

Also, I remember being surprised to learn that our food bank is hit the hardest during summer months. That was eye-opening. Families rely on schools feeding their children to make ends meet. I hadn’t realized that school meals made that much of an impact.