Thank you for your interest in AIO. Whether you’re a member, donor, volunteer, food supplier, food source, adjacent social service provider, or a curious neighbor we’re glad to share AIO’s amazing story and the results of our fiscal year 2023/24. AIO was founded in May 1990 – that’s right, we’re almost 35 years old. We have a lovely party and series of events planned to celebrate the people and their dedicated efforts throughout the last 35 years who helped make AIO what it is to today.
AIO is now so much more than the food pantry we started as. I hope that the following gives you a sense of the vital role AIO plays in the Knox County in 2025.
Alan Kearl, Executive Director
Laura McGrath, Program Director
Rob Halloway, Market Director
Keisha Beal, Administrative Coordinator
AIO Staff
Vera Roberts, Chairman
Ted Long, Vice Chairman
Susan Whelan, Treasurer
Rich Norman, Secretary
AIO Board of Directors
Candace Vancko
Laura Serino
Jim Pacheco
David Statman
Molly Walpuc
Nina Durgin
Linda Mann
Jake Miller
What’s Our Mission?
AIO is a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Rockland that operates four primary programs including: A food pantry offering low-barrier access to fresh, healthy foods in a market setting, a diaper program, weekend meals for school students K-12, and an income-qualified energy assistance program. AIO manages several other smaller, but impactful programs as well.
In partnership with food sources, business sponsors, individual donors, volunteers and a supportive community, we respectfully provide food and other basic necessities to Knox County households in need.
Feeding America estimates that 11.9% of Knox County residents (about 5,000 people) experience food insecurity and for children, the number is even higher at 17.6% (about 740 children). AIO has made great strides this past year in reaching more of the county and closing the gap so that our neighbors have judgement-free access to the food they need. We want to remove the angst of food insecurity and ensure that no one has to choose between food on the table and adequate health care, or sufficient protection from the elements.
We’re reaching more families experiencing food insecurity than ever before, but we still have room to do more. In 2023/24 we served about 10% (vs goal of 11.9%) of Knox County and about 17.1% (vs goal of 17.6%) of the children of the county.
How are we doing?
1,943 unduplicated households served
4,214 household members
14,603 household visits (+40.8% vs a year ago)
3,844 household members (+27.4% vs a year ago)
668,000 pounds of food (+49.8% vs a year ago)
Food Distribution - Market
23,394
Food Distribution - Other
pounds of food to about 2,925 people through 3 satellite locations operated by Maine Health
pounds of food to about 2,925 people through 3 satellite locations operated by Maine Health
12,104
Weekend Meals Program
students are provided 4 meals/week
595 Elementary
meals/year distributed
About 17.1% of public-school children Meals distributed through 15 Knox County public schools
76,160
Diaper Program
diapers distributed
64,800
households
178
225
households
Energy Assistance
energy assistance provided
$159,000
501
households assisted
526
payments made to local suppliers
How do we do it?
FOOD SOURCES
91
businesses and organizations
1,625
individual drop-offs & receipts—that’s 11.2 donations per day!
of our food is purchased— mostly from Good Shepherd Food Bank who provides food at cost, making our investment go further
56.8%
We have an amazing community that supports AIO. For so many, food insecurity is not theoretical, it is real. Many in the community have experienced the need, know someone who has, or may know it could be them sometime in the future.
4,933
VOLUNTEERS
hours by
individual volunteers!
Volunteer roles vary and include drivers picking up and delivering, warehouse sorters and stockers, market operations, energy and diaper assistance, assemblers and packers
248
DONORS & GRANTS
732 Individuals
1,632 GIFTS
60 Businesses
102 GIFTS
16 Churches
& Towns
55 GIFTS
…countless organizations and clubs holding food drives and raising funds through their member base
16 Organizations & Foundations
11 Grants
Looking Ahead
During our next fiscal year (FY24/25), which we are well into as this report is being written, we see a continued growth as the realities of the economy continue to squeeze many in our community. The pressing weight of housing, food, energy and transportation can be a tipping point for many who are on limited incomes and even those who are working, when an unexpected house or car repair, or medical event arises.
We are proud of the work of these last 35 years and are excited to celebrate all that we’ve accomplished together as a community. AIO plans to be a force in Knox County for another 35 years and beyond—as long as our community needs support we will be here. We have many activities and events planned for this anniversary year to honor and remember the people and milestones of the past and to connect with a new future.
What is in store for 2024/25?
• We have implemented a weekend meals program for the middle and high schools with a pantry style distribution model combining teen friendly snacks and microwavable meals
• We have launched a new home delivery service for those who experience mobility or transportation challenges
• We have added hours and days to the market hours—we are now open 22 hours/week
• We now make weekly trips to Vinalhaven and serve 35 families there with food and provide 22 students with weekend meals
• more satellite “help yourself food shelves”—The YMCA, The Congregational Church in Rockland, an additional Maine Health location and the Knox Clinic
• a partnership with the YMCA providing daily snacks for their after-school programming at 4 elementary schools
We plan for:
Is it sustainable?
With a strong community….YES!
• As 2023/24 ended we acquired a food delivery van, which was made possible by generous support from foundations and individuals. We now make 1-2 trips week to Good Shepherd procuring about 5,000-6,000 pounds of FREE food each week.
• We’re adding a new (or reviving an old) fundraising event—Pies on Parade (Pi day weekend - March 14-16), where all proceeds will benefit AIO.
• We’ve added a Summer Appeal campaign and are partnering with The Strand on July 27th to “Fill The Strand” with school supplies
AIO has grown and adapted for the past 35 years to the needs of the community and 2024/25 will be another year of growing and adapting as we help our neighbors. THANK YOU for believing in our work and your support this past year. We truly couldn’t do it without you. There are many worthy organizations deserving of support in our community—please know how much we appreciate you entrusting your financial support with AIO.