April News!

Community Coming Together Around Food

APRIL 2026 NEWS!  Dear Friends- So many things to share and you’ll read about them below, but in this moment, I am grateful for the 350 active volunteers who power AIO with more than 30,000 volunteer hours/year. You are the heart and soul of AIO. You lift and drive, greet and re-stock, you sign cards and put eggs in containers of six, you plant/weed/harvest and paint and install, you sort/organize and you pack up, you give and give and give. AIO is a reflection of you. Thank you. Alan Kearl, Executive Director AIO Food & Energy Assistance alan@aiofoodpantry.org  | 207-596-1043 ENERGY ASSISTANCE MATCH- 1/2 way there! WE ARE HALFWAY TO OUR GOAL!  Thank you for everyone who has helped thus far!  Between now and April 30 every dollar will be matched & become $3. Will you consider making a gift and helping us get to $60,000? Power companies have started issuing shut off notices to families who have fallen behind on their payments over the winter. We may be enjoying the early signs of Spring but for many this is a season of angst when people are forced to make a decision about whether to eat or refill a prescription or have power.   Thanks to a very generous donor we have a 2 to 1 Match Challenge  opportunity-- if we can raise $60,000 during the month of April we will receive a $120,000 grant. Together this is $180,000 in support that will be used for the Energy Assistance Program in the coming months.  Each Spring the AIO Energy Assistance program has played a vital role in “keeping the lights on” for hundreds of families. If we are able to raise these funds we will be able to help 900 households with $200 payments. Can you help us unlock this match with a gift this month? Together there is enough and together we are making difference. Thank you for your consideration in supporting the Energy Assistance Program.   Words from an Energy Assistance recipient: "Oh my god, thank you so much. I pay a little every month but somehow that's not enough for them and I got the shut off notice, so whatever I can get will be a huge help. I love AIO so much and continue to appreciate all the good that you guys do. Again thanks. Hopefully the payment will get there before they shut off my power." I want to donate to the Energy Assistance Challenge! COMMUNITY MATTERS MORE- VOTE FOR AIO!  VOTE HERE! PECHA KUCHA PRESENTATION Thank you to the Strand Theatre for hosting and our Midcoast Pecha Kucha organizers for a great night! AIO was honored to be included in this Spring's lineup of Pecha Kucha presenters. In case you missed it --  View Alan's presentation here.  To view all of the Pecha Kucha presentations click here.  OPEN HOUSE UPDATE!  TUESDAY, MAY 19 Save the Date for our Open House TUESDAY, MAY 19 4:00-6:00pm All are welcome! We hope you'll join us.  Location: 1A Gordon Drive, Rockland  NARCAN TRAINING - April 23 and 28 COMMUNITY NOTES Free NARCAN Training to be held at AIO, April 23 @2pm and April 28 @10am.    Mobile Maternity unit is coming to AIO on Friday, May 1st from 10am - 1pm   AIO is working with the City of Rockland, Friends of MacDougal Park Community Gardens and Lowe's to expand the community park. Produce is shared with AIO. Please reach out to learn about how to get involved.   Rockland Sunday Stroll will start on Sunday, May 17th - stop by AIO's booth to say hi.   AIO's Open House will be held Tuesday, May 19, 4-6pm at AIO. All are welcome!    AIO will be closed on May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.   The new senior center at The Flanagan Center will be opening in May - keep you eye on the news for the specific date and schedule. HOW YOU CAN HELP 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. IN-KIND 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.  You could also...  Share this newsletter with your friends, family and colleagues Follow us on social media to stay updated on our activities. Facebook  (AIOFoodpantry70) Instagram (aiofoodpantry)   Hold a Food or Diaper drive!  The majority of the food and diapers we distribute come from donations. Hold a fundraiser in honor of your birthday or anniversary.  Other Ways to Give Learn more at our website  From all of us here at AIO - THANK YOU!  AIO Food and Energy Assistance Mailing Address:    ​P.O. Box 113, Rockland, ME  04841 Location:  1A Gordon Drive, Rockland, ME 04841       Phone:    (207) 596-1043 Email:   email@aiofoodpantry.org​​ Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

This email was sent to << Test Email Address >> why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences AIO Food and Energy Assistance · PO Box 113 · Rockland, ME 04841-0113 · USA