|
|
|
|
|
Thanks to all of our generous supporters, AIO skated to a win with our Third Annual Fill The Strand event. Sadly, a winter storm necessitated cancelling the event. However, we are inspired by everyone who rose to the occasion and helped us Fill the Strand, not once but TWICE with online seat sponsorships. More than 200 individuals and businesses came together to donate more $34,000. In addition, we received 668-pounds of food donated before and after the event. Amazing!
Every $25 financial donation we received enables us to purchase about $100 worth of food through our partners, including Good Shepherd Food Bank and wholesale food distributers. The impact of $34,000 is significant – enabling us to purchase and distribute food to the more than 250 families we serve each week for nearly three months!
AIO’s market-shopping model allows families to come shop at AIO as often as they need and to select the food that suits their family best. As we head into the deep of winter, many families feel additional pressures on their budget with high heating oil and electricity costs. For these families, our food is a lifeline, saving money on groceries that can then be used to pay for other household expenses. For some of our families, that can amount to $500 per month or more. This is significant and meaningful help, and it is only possible thanks to donors like you.
Thank you again to everyone who helped make this event a success. We look forward to an even greater success (and better weather) next year!
|
|
|
More Food, More Energy, More Often - 2022 Report
|
|
|
Last year was another truly remarkable year. We are immensely grateful to you for the role you have played in our success. With your help, we have…
- increased visits to our Market by 115%, reaching 5,896 family visits (15,672 duplicated individuals)
- received 414,223 pounds of food, an increase of 88% over the prior year, sourced from personal donations, Good Shepherd Food Bank, local supermarkets and local farms
- distributed 24,356 diapers through the Diaper Program
- distributed $208,260 in Energy Assistance, an increase of 14% over the prior year, including 691 vouchers ($300 each)
- increased Weekend Meal Program participation by 51%, distributing 12,235 weekend meal packages to 14 participating schools
- held our 2nd Fill the Strand event, raising nearly $20,000 in food and funds for our four programs
- held our first ArtFeeds: Artists in Action Against Food Insecurity event, a collaboration between AIO, Maine artists, Page Gallery and the Maine Department of Corrections, culminating in an exhibition and auction that raised almost $20,000.
- strengthened partnerships with Knox County Homeless Coalition, Mid-Coast School for Technology, Spectrum Generations, Pen Bay Medical Center, and more.
|
|
|
MARKET UPDATE
AIO has felt the impact of the increasing needs of our community and we have implemented new ways of meeting those needs. We have created a new check in system and have welcomed Dennis Paper and Foods as a supplier for both the Market and Weekend Meal Programs. Our volunteer teams continue to be adaptable and pivot to meet the needs of our customers and the demand on our Market given the increased volume.
Collaborations remain integral to our success and we are working on new collaborations for the upcoming summer that will enable us to continue to increase the quality and availability of the products we can offer. The One Less Worry program which provided personal paper products stopped one month ago. We are navigating through this change, which may lead to changes to the items and quantity of products we carry. AIO will continue to source and solicit products that support our customers and their needs.
Our group of volunteers continues to grow and together create a shopping experience like no other everyday, week in and week out. A big thanks to our volunteers-- together you all help AIO maintain (and exceed) our high standards and the goals we've set. YOU ROCK!!! Thank you from all of us here at the Market.
|
|
|
|
ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
As of this writing, we have distributed $125,0000 in Fuel Assistance to members. That’s 390 AIO enrolled client who received $300 vouchers to their fuel companies from AIO. As we near exhaustion of our energy assistance budget, Shepard Motor Group has once again stepped up to create a challenge match to add funds to our program. These funds will be made available immediately to help families get through the remaining winter months. You can read more about the Shepard Motor Group Challenge here.
|
|
|
DIAPER PROGRAM
It is estimated that diapers for a single baby cost an average of $70 per month and $840 per year. In fact, one-third of all mothers cut back on basic essentials to afford diapers for their children. Rationing diapers can lead to long-term health conditions, and cost families even more. In the last quarter AIO's Diaper Program has distributed 27,300 diapers to our clients. This essential program not only helps reduce diaper costs but also introduces AIO to many families who then also utilize our other programs, providing food and heating fuel assistance.
|
|
|
WEEKEND MEAL PROGRAM
The AIO Weekend Meal Program provides meals and snacks for school-age children in Knox County. We work with participating schools to ensure this supplemental weekend meal program continues to evolve and meet the needs of those participating families.
So far this year AIO as provided distributed 8,547 weekend meal bags to elementary school children in Knox County, which is an average of 482 bags per week. Each bag contains two breakfasts, two lunches, one dinner, healthy snacks and a beverage. As with all AIO programs, funding for Weekend Meals is entirely through private donations and grants.
|
|
|
YEAR END ANNUAL APPEAL....SUCCESS!
|
|
|
THANK YOU to everyone who supported our year-end appeal. Together we met the early bird challenge-- thanks to generous matching gifts-- and not only met, but exceeded our goal. This means that AIO is positioned to continue distributing More Food, More Often.
Individuals and families continue to come and shop as often as once a week. We are having an impact on the quality of life for those families who visit regularly and your year end support has set us up to do the same in the year ahead.
We've been effective in meeting the needs of the families we serve and we continue to reach many new families. We anticipate greater growth to continue, which means our work is not done, but thanks to your support we are starting the year off strong.
We invite you to come visit and see your support at work. If you're inspired to get involved in a different way, check out our volunteer opportunities.
|
|
|
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: BIRTHDAY GIRL ADDIE BLAKE
|
|
|
|
Birthday Celebrations at AIO! For the second time, Addie Blake invited family and friends to celebrate her birthday by contributing ingredients for baking and decorating birthday cakes. Addie collected and donated more than100 birthday cake kits to AIO, which will be distributed in our Market to anyone who has an upcoming birthday. AIO is grateful to Addie for her thoughtfulness and helping to ensure others have what they need to bake a cake to celebrate their birthday. We are so inspired by Addie’s efforts that the AIO team has begun tracking birthdays so we can be ready with birthday kits when a family comes. Thank you Addie for helping spread birthday cheer to our community.
“This is really the BEST feeling and best birthday gift! Thank you!” -Addie
|
|
There is a lot of behind the scenes work that enables us to be ready for our client shopping days. We need your help!
We continue to need more volunteers in the market, warehouse and 2-3 drivers for the weekly ferry drop-off. For a full list of volunteer needs, days and times please visit www.aiofoodpantry.org/schedule or contact Sara Spencer, sara@aiofoodpantry.org.
|
|
|
ARTFEEDS 2023 — Call For Artists!
|
|
|
|
|
AIO is hosting the 2nd annual ArtFeeds event in partnership with Page Gallery and the Maine State Corrections on September 16. Planning is underway so keep an eye out for more details here.
CALL FOR ARTISTS!
Given the enthusiastic response to last year’s event, we are expanding the number of participating artists this year. We have 15 spots available!
Artists interested in participating should send in their submission by March 15. More details at aiofoodpantry.org/artfeeds.
|
|
|
Join, Connect & Support AIO!
|
|
|
THREE WAYS YOU CAN HELP TODAY:
1. MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION. Your dollars go further as AIO is able to purchase food at a discounted price. When you make a financial gift you are helping to provide food, energy and diaper assistance to families who need help. You can donate online here.
2. VOLUNTEER. Volunteering at AIO is a great way to help people in your community, meet new friends, and be part of one of the most innovative food pantries in Maine. Whichever opportunities you choose, you will be an important part of the work we do.To get started click here.
3. DROPOFF DONATIONS. There is a wide variety of food, household and personal items that the families we serve need. To learn about our most needed items check here.
|
|
|
There are a variety of ways that you can support our programs and the families we serve:
- Share this newsletter with your friends, family and colleagues.
- Follow us on social media to stay updated on our activities.
- Hold a Food or Diaper drive! The majority of the food and diapers we distribute come from donations.
- Hold a Facebook Fundraiser in honor of your birthday or anniversary.
- Other Ways to Give- visit our website to learn about other ways you can support AIO.
THANK YOU.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
