Save the date for Fill the Strand!
AIO’s 2026 FILL THE STRAND
with Food & Funds Event is planned
for Monday, January 19th.
Food in every seat. Help for every family.
On Monday, January 19, 2026 AIO Food and Energy Assistance will host its sixth Fill The Strand with food and funds drive to benefit AIO’s Food Assistance, Energy Assistance, Weekend Meal, and Diaper Assistance Programs. This event challenges the community to fill every seat in the historic theater with bags of food and funds for AIO’s programs. AIO has raised over $165,000 in the first five Fill the Strand events. The goal for the sixth event is to raise $40,000. The snow date is Monday, January 26.
"During the past 7 weeks alone, AIO has experienced more than 11,000 market visits and 496 NEW households have come for assistance. Fill the Strand is a well-timed, important opportunity for AIO to refill shelves with food and it’s a great opportunity to teach children about food insecurity and helping neighbors in need.” says AIO Executive Director Alan Kearl. “Powered by Allen Insurance and Financial and hosted by The Strand, this event is a testament of a community that cares for one another. As many families face greater challenges making ends meet, AIO continues to keep pace with the need for food and energy assistance. In the past year, we have provided over 1 million pounds of food through more than 55,000 visits to our pantry market and home deliveries. That is a nearly 50% increase over last year’s record-setting number of visits! Fill The Strand is vital to keeping food available for those who need it.”
Monetary donations are welcome…
and in fact your dollar goes further since AIO can purchase food through partners at a competitive price. Individuals can fill one theater seat with a bag of food or sponsor a seat at $35. Your $35 monetary donation can buy up to $85 worth of food. Those interested in sponsoring a seat through a financial donation can make it online at www.aiofoodpantry.org/strand.
Non-perishable food with a current expiration date is appreciated. AIO would be grateful for donations of the most needed items including cereals, snacks, salad dressings, microwavable meals, spaghetti sauce, condiments, mac and cheese, ramen and soups, peanut butter, personal care products, coffee & tea and and other shelf stable items. Whether a monetary gift or food donation - your support will help the people in our community who need it the most.
Food collection sites have been established at area businesses:
Rockland: Allen Insurance and Financial (Rockland and Camden), Ardiah, Atlantic Baking, Breakwater Nutrition, Camden National Bank, Cates Realty, Coastal Recovery Community Center, First National Bank, Good Tern Co-Op, Key Bank, Maine State Credit Union, Park Street Laundry, Rock City Coffee/ Café, Rockland Police Department, South End Grocery, Stone Alley Brewery, The Grasshopper Shop, The Strand Theatre, Winifred and Evalyn, YMCA
Rockport: Barnswallow Books, Bleeker & Greer, Graffam Brothers
Camden: Allen Insurance and Financial, Bubbles and Beans Children's Consignment, French and Brawn, Lucky Betty's, Zoot Coffee
Owls Head: Cape Air, Owls Head General Store
Thomaston: Crooked Spoon Co., Hot Hill Tavern, Thomaston Grocery Store
Warren: St. George Pizza
On Monday, January 19th volunteers will be at the Strand Theatre between 9:00-2:00pm to receive food and funds donations.
Drive-up and drop-off service will be available or come inside the Strand Theatre, located at 345 Main Street, Rockland, to deliver your food and funds donations in-person and see the seats fill up.
AIO is proud to partner with two business leaders who are instrumental in making the Fill the Strand event possible – The Strand Theatre who hosts the event and Allen Insurance and Financial who helps power the event, through their financial support, as well as a team of employees who volunteer during the day of the event in greeting donors, collecting and organizing donations.
“AIO’s Fill the Strand is the kind of community work that speaks directly to our mission,” said Mike Pierce, president of Allen Insurance and Financial. “Taking part year after year gives our co-owners a meaningful way to support neighbors and build connections that matter. We are proud to contribute to something that makes a real difference.”
“We’re thrilled to be hosting this terrific event for the 6th year!” shares the Strand’s Marketing Director, Jana Herbener. “It’s so gratifying to see so many community members coming through our doors with their generous contributions for our Midcoast neighbors. Community need is greater than ever this year!”
For more information about the event and how you can participate please contact event coordinator Leila Murphy, murphy.leila@gmail.com.
AIO is grateful to the generous support of its sponsors which include, at the Primary level- Allen Insurance and Financial. At the Leadership level - First National Bank and First National Wealth Management, Frantz Furniture Showroom and Rockland Plaza. At the Partner level - 250 Main Hotel, Cates Real Estate, Gartley & Dorsky, Knights of Columbus Limerock Council 136, Stone Alley Brewing, and The Inn at Ocean’s Edge. At the Champion level - Bangor Savings Bank, Crooked Spoon, Maine State Credit Union, Plants Unlimited, and South End Grocery. At the Business level - Atlantic Baking Co, City & Harbour Real Estate Group, Craignair Inn, Farnsworth Art Museum, Jess’s Market, Nina June, Page Gallery and Zoot Coffee. And at the Supporting level- Uproot Pie Company and Carriage House. A list of all sponsors can be found at www.aiofoodpantry.org/strand.