Staff

Patricia A. Stern

Executive Director

Patty joined the Loaves & Fishes team during the summer of 2008 following a 25-year career in public school administration as a School Business Manager. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Business from Fitchburg State College. Patty resides in Shirley with her husband Steve and their daughters, Laura and Erin.

Mellissa Richard

Senior Administrative Assistant

Mellissa joined the Loaves & Fishes team in March 2022. She holds two Associate’s Degrees in both Business Administration and Liberal Arts. She worked for over 5 years as the supervisor in a busy translation department, coordinating the translations of documents into most languages spoken around the world. She also worked for many years as the head waitress of a small Chinese restaurant.  Mellissa lives in Winchendon with her family, her dogs, cats and  chickens.

Grace Miller

Client Services Coordinator

Grace joined Loaves & Fishes in July 2019. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Atlantic Union College and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Suffolk University.  Grace has a background in individual and family counseling, group therapy and intensive stabilization.  She is an active volunteer within her church and community.

Food Coordinator Assistant

John joined the Pantry in June of 2016.  He is a retired Engineer with a Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Massachusetts Lowell.  He has taken the lead in expanding The Neighborhood Food Project.

Eileen O’Dea

Volunteer Coordinator

Eileen joined the Loaves and Fishes team in January 2022. She has a background in museum work and academic administration. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts. Eileen lives in Harvard with her husband, two daughters, and two cats. Some of the things she enjoys are skiing, swimming, reading, and spending time with her family.

Bill Loehfelm

Client Counselor

Bill recently joined Loaves & Fishes as a Client Counselor. He has an undergraduate degree from Manhattan College in NY and a Masters in Psychological Counseling from Bridgewater University. He spent most of his career working in correctional settings in MA and several other states. Bill lives in Harvard with his wife and son, dogs and cat, and a whole yard full of farm animals. He is an avid gardener and a mediocre golfer.

Tara Hanley

Food Coordinator

Tara recently retired from a career in education. She is a former principal and special educator. Tara received her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Northeastern University and both her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Fitchburg State University. She has two children and the most adorable grandchildren on the planet. Tara enjoys time in Maine and Leominster, cooking, and the outdoors.

Lifting and feeding our neighbors since 1983.