Food Assistance
AIO is here to help you and your family.
We can help reduce your financial burden by providing free groceries.
How can we help you?
We offer Knox County individuals and families multiple different ways to access our food programs.
The AIO Food
Pantry Market
Welcome!
AIO’s market provides a true shopping experience where you can select the food that is right for your family. Clients who reside in Knox County are invited to come as often as once a week. We offer a great selection of food, and often have daily specials. We invite new clients to enroll using the button above, or stop by during our market hours to complete the enrollment in person.
This enrollment form is not a qualifier and you can start shopping as soon as you complete the form.
Location and Hours
1A Gordon Drive, Rockland, ME 04841
Monday & Wednesday: 10:00am—6:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:00am—1:00pm
Income Eligibility
There is no income qualification to shop in the AIO Market. If you are experiencing food insecurity and aren't sure that you can afford to shop at any of the traditional food retailers, feel free to stop in and shop at AIO.
Shopping at the Market
When you arrive at AIO park out front, or if it is crowded, park at the AIO annex next door. Please refrain from parking in the loading dock area, along in the fire lane along the grass or out on Gordon Avenue.
Take a number from the dispenser that is placed outside near the front door
Come on inside and check in at the front desk. Please provide any household updates (address change, phone or email change, members of your household change, etc)
Early in the day, you may need to wait a few minutes, but have a seat, help yourself to some coffee and relax. It won't take long
When your number is called, you'll be given a shopping cart adn you can enter the market and shop
Please bring your own shopping bags—AIO does not have a regular supply of shopping bags
Please take what you need for your household. While there aren't generally limits, some items may have a sign asking you to limit your selection.
About half of our items are regularly stocked and always available - these are purchased. About half of our items are items are donated and so they are limited to what you find when you're in the market. This provides a lot of variety for the food available.
We encourage you to come when you need food. Most people find that once a week is sufficient.
When you're done shopping you'll exit the side door of the market, if we're crowded, please promptly move to your car, unload your cart and return it to the front door.
We'll look forward to seeing you!
School Meals
If you have questions about our School Meals Program call (207) 596-1043 or email Sara@aiofoodpantry.org.
We support the kids of Knox County by bringing food to them.
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.
Schools participating in weekend meal programs report higher reading and math scores and decreased absenteeism, behavioral trips to the principal’s office, and trips to the school nurse for hunger-related ailments.
During the 2022-2023 school year, we provided 16,277 weekend meal bags to fourteen schools in Knox County. Special thanks to the amazing team of volunteers who make this important program happen every week.
AIO packs approximately 500 weekend meal bags every week during the school year.
Each week, our Weekend Meals bag contains a different menu of items to make two breakfasts, two lunches, and several snacks for the weekend.
When
Every Thursday during the school year, bags of food are dropped off at participating schools for distribution by the schools on Friday for students to take home and eat over the weekend.
How
If your child attends one of our 14 partner schools, simply reach out to your school nurse or office staff to ask for a WMP Enrollment Form. We offer open enrollment to all students with rolling admission throughout the year. Sign up today!
Families can sign up for our Weekend Meals Program at their partcipating schools anytime throughout the school year. There are no restrictions or income requirements.
Participating Schools
Appleton Village • Ash Point Community • Camden-Rockport • Cushing Community • Friendship Village • Hope Elementary • Midcoast CDS • Miller School • Prescott Memorial • Rockland South School • St. George Elementary • Thomaston Grammar • Union Elementary • Vinalhaven • Warren Community
Families can sign up for our Weekend Meals Program at their partcipating schools anytime throughout the school year. There are no restrictions or income requirements.
Home Delivery
Please call us with any questions!
207-596-1043 or email laura@aiofoodpantry.org
NEW! Home Delivery!
Now community members who don't have access to reliable transportation, can't get out, or are challenged by crowds, can receive AIO food through our new home delivery program.
When
We prepare and deliver food to your home on Tuesdays, 2–4pm.
How
All recipients need to sign up as members of AIO. You can come into the market and fill out a paper form or sign up here:
Details & Requirements:
Recipients must be home to receive the food 2–4pm on Tuesdays
We will not leave food unattended without prior arrangements.
Once signed up, recipients must let us know if they want this service to stop.
Customizing food orders is not possible at this time.
Food will cover a number of categories and will change from week to week.