INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mara is passionate about healthy, local food and has fed our community in many ways over the years. She and her husband owned and operated Half Pint Farm in Burlington’s Intervale for 16 years, their produce a fixture at the farmers’ market and area restaurants, but her favorite program was offering Senior Farm Shares - over a hundred every season! In addition to being our Treasurer/Secretary, Mara owns and operates Chile Colorado.

PRESIDENT

Beth Sachs has been passionate about social justice and renewable energy causes for the entirety of her adult life, founding the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation, working to make clean energy options accessible for all people. Beth has held many leadership roles in our community - serving on the boards of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility and Vermont Works for Women. We are thrilled to have Beth at the helm.

COMMUNICATIONS

In addition to spearheading our social media efforts, Kirk Rankin is undertaking a Masters program. He came to HANDS as a recent administrative associate at the Vermont chapter of the Alzheimer's Association after graduating from the University of Vermont. He volunteered with the Committee on Temporary Shelter, the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Age Well and HANDS over the years.

FOUNDER

Megan founded HANDS in 2004 after working at a senior center and learning how hard it was for them to be alone on Christmas Day, and so, the 20-year tradition of the HANDS holiday dinner was born. Developing programs over the years, HANDS is nimble at filling gaps in food access. With a small board, many partners and countless volunteers, Megan has found that one person can make a difference, but it’s even more effective when many brains and hands come together to solve a problem. Megan also owns
Sweet Basil Cards.