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SUMMER WEEKEND MEALS FOR KIDS!
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Our Summer Weekend Meals Program kicked off on Thursday, June 25 and will run through August 27.
The program is open to all school-age children (ages 6-18). Each week parents can go to a participating venue and ask for a meal kit for their children. Each meal kit will provide 2 breakfast items, 2 lunch items and 3-4 snacks. There is no need to sign up or reserve these meal kits, which are free thanks to a generous community who understands the need and is helping AIO make this program happen.
Meal Kits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis each Thursday at all sites and will be replenished weekly. Participating locations include: Thomaston Public Library, Rockland Public Library, Camden Public Library, Owls Head Village Library, Vose Library, and Island Community Medical Center. No library affiliation is required. Any library, town office or other public location interested in participating as a distribution hub for towns not represented are encouraged to contact AIO, 207-596-1043.
The children AIO serves during the school year have the same needs throughout the summer months; however the usual breakfast and lunch are not available. During the summer months kids often experience growth spurts making access to healthy snacks and meals all the more important. Thanks to a number of local libraries who will serve as distribution sites AIO will continue the Weekend Meals Program ensuring that all school age kids have access to Weekend Meal kits throughout the summer.
PHOTO: Rockport Library Director Ben Blackmon with meals kits available at the library.
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SUMMER DOCK PARTY: Saturday, July 18!
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Join AIO for a summer celebration on Saturday, July 18, 6-10pm for a community Dock Party at Journey’s End Marina on Tillson Ave in Rockland. The event is open to anyone age 21+ and admission is free. DJ Dan Miller will be playing the hits- so come for the dancing, games, or just the gorgeous backdrop of Rockland Harbor. Cash bar will be available (Visa/MC also accepted). Food vendors will also be onsite – Smoked and LobsterPot food trucks and Newty’s Ice Cream. The event will be held rain or shine under the cover of the Journey's End Marina at 210 Tillson Ave in Rockland (building G6). All proceeds will support the AIO’s assistance programs.
AIO is grateful to the following event sponsors:
First National Bank, Craignair Inn, Dark Harbor Barber, Dry Dock Restaurant, Grasshopper Shop, Hampton Inn, Knight Marine Services, PBNJ Self Storage, Rockland Harbor Hotel, Three Dog Embroidery, Trackside Station.
Sponsorships are still available: contact Alan Kearl, Executive Director, 207-596-1043 or alan@aiofoodpantry.org to learn more.
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School has only barely ended, but soon enough Back-to-School preparations and fall will be upon us and with it all of our kid-oriented programming will kick into high speed.
To help raise funds for the Weekend Meals program, diapers, after-school snacks and back-to-school supplies, we are kicking off two efforts to build support for these programs:
- In-kind donations culminating with our 2nd annual Summer Fill The Strand event on August 7, and
- A Summer Appeal for Kids- July 13-August 31
To follow is are more details about each...
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SUMMER FILL THE STRAND- Friday, August 7
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Building on last year's AIO's Back-to-School fundraising and in-kind donation program, this year we are collecting snacks, diapers and sufficient school supplies to provide a shopping experience for 225 school children who will come to AIO and pick out school supplies.
Collection boxes will be available at area businesses starting the week of July 6 and will culminate with our Summer Fill the Strand event at the Strand Theater on Friday, August 7, 10:00am-2:00pm.
The community is invited to bring school supplies, or sponsor a "virtual seat" of supplies to fill the Strand Theatre. Frank FM106.9 will be live casting from the Strand on August 7.
AIO is also looking for business sponsors to help with varying support levels ranging from $300 to $1,000. We are grateful to the Strand Theatre for hosting this event, Maine State Credit Union, our marquee sponsor and FRANK FM106.9 for joining with a live-cast for this year's event. Interested in sponsoring? Contact Alan at 207-596-1043 or alan@aiofoodpantry.org
AIO's Back-to-School store will open on Thursday, August 13 for families to shop for school supplies at AIO.
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Concurrent with the Fill the Strand event we are launching a summer appeal with the goal of raising $100,000 in support AIO's children-focused programs including diapers, weekend meals, after-school snacks, and back-to-school supplies. A generous donor has provided $50,000 matching gift challenge-- every donation between now and the end of August will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000.
Are you able to help us raise $50,000 and unlock this generous $50,000 matching gift?
We are confident that through our collaborations, word of mouth, and communications we will be able to reach more children and their families so they can benefit from the assistance we offer.
Thank you for your consideration!
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ARTFEEDS - 2026 PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
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AIO is excited to announce the following artists will be participating in this year's ArtFeeds: Artists In Action Against Food Insecurity exhibit and silent auction, which will take place September 17-26 at Page Gallery in Camden. ArtFeeds is a collaboration between AIO, our dynamic community of artists, Page Gallery and the Maine State Correctional Facility.
2026 participating artists include Hannah Berta, Susie Brandt, Gideon Bok, Beth Bull, Sophie Cangelosi, Marsha Donahue, Carol Douglas, Dan Dowd, Ingrid Ellison, Melanie Essex, Hélène Farrar, Kathleen Florence, Linden Frederick, Brenda Free, Nancy Glassman, Grace Hager, Stew Henderson, Alissa Hessler, Eric Hopkins, Rachel Houlihan, Alexis Iammarino, Emilie Stark-Menneg, Nathaniel Meyer, Tara Morin, Elizabeth O’Reilly, Colin Page, Jennifer Peppe, Nina Poole, Polly Ryel, Carol Sloane, Michael Stasiuk, Jay Stern, Karen Talbot, Simon van der Ven, Laura Waller. ArtFeeds has had participation from residents from the Maine State Correctional Facility and as well as local students and will again this year. Two high school students will participate, Chloe Egan and Ava Pease.
Stay tuned for more details as artists get underway with their bowls and platters. You can follow along on Instagram (aiofoodpantry) and Facebook (AIOFoodpantry70).
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VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENT
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With more than 350 active volunteers and during any given week needing 175 of them to fill various 2 hour shifts, it would be an understatement to say we rely on volunteers to make AIO click and deliver the high level of assistance we are known for.
On June 26th we were able to spend a beautiful summer evening at Tenderwild Farm with about 80 of those volunteers where we enjoyed each other’s company, wonderful music by The Band Up The Hill and great food from Shift Wood Pizza and more.
A special thank you to Peter and Morgen for sharing their incredible farm and so much more.
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AIO receives the majority of our support from individual and business donors. While we report on our fundraising events that take place throughout the year, we would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the importance of grant support. Grants include foundations, family foundations, service clubs and businesses.
Thus far this year we have been successful in securing grants from the following organizations. We are grateful to these grantors who realize the importance of what we do and chose to support programs like our Home Delivery, Weekend Meals, After-School Snacks, Diapers, and the AIO Market. They include:
Camden Rotary Club, Home Delivery Program
Dead River Company, Energy Assistance Program
Fisher Charitable Foundation, Home Delivery Program
Good Shepherd Food Bank
Evelyn S. and K.E. Barrett Foundation, Summer Weekend Meals & Snack Program
McKean Center for Common Good, Food Market
Maine Community Foundation, Home Delivery Program
Rockland Elks Lodge #1008, Food Market
Rockland Rotary Club, Summer Weekend Meals Program (pictured below)
Seth Sprague Charitable Foundation, Weekend Meals
The Estate of Carole Brand
Walmart Spark Good Local Grant, Back to School Supplies
West Bay Rotary Club, Summer Weekend Meals Program
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AIO serves 13.5% of Knox County residents through six core programs.
Kids Meals & Snacks
114,600 per year. Two breakfasts, lunches and snacks to 950 kids each week.
AIO Market
30,000 visits per year. Serving 2,400 unique households across Knox County.
Home Delivery
140 households a week. Groceries delivery in person to homebound residents.
Self-Serve Shelves
1 ton food per week. Pantry shelves across 14 locations providing food to over 300 people.
Diapers
73,500 diapers per year. Newborn, youth, and adult diapers provided to 50 households per week.
Energy Assistance
1,083 gifts this year. $200 quarterly utility payments made to CMP or a fuel provider of choice.
12 TONS of food distributed each week.
50% donated from 215 sources through 2,500 interactions.
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MACDOUGAL COMMUNITY GARDEN
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Since the Spring AIO has been working with the City of Rockland Economic and Community Development and Public Services Departments., Friends of MacDougal Park Community Gardens, Lowe's and other area businesses to expand the community park. The Community Garden includes a dedicated Community Plot where food is grown for AIO, along with 11 rentable garden plots. Gardeners who rent plots keep what they grow from their plots, but also help grow food for AIO. Please reach out to learn about how to get involved.
Anyone interested in helping tend the Community Plot for AIO can contact AIO at 207-596-1043.
To read a recent PenBay Pilot article about the project click here. Photo courtesy of City of Rockland.
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- JULY 4: AIO participates in Thomaston's 4th of July Parade
- JULY 9: AIO Member BBQ, at AIO
- JULY 11/12: Visit AIO's booth at the North Atlantic Blues Festival, Rockland Harbor
- JULY 18: AIO Dock Party, 6-10pm, at Journey's End Marina, Tillson Ave, Rockland
- JULY 19: Sunday Strolls, 11-3, Main Street, Rockland
- JULY 25/26: Back to School Supply Drive
- JULY 29-AUG 2: Visit AIO's book at the 79th Maine Lobster Festival
- AUGUST 1 & 2: Back to School Supply Drive
- AUGUST 1: AIO participates in the Maine Lobster Festival Parade
- AUGUST 7: Fill the Strand with Snacks & Back to School Supplies, 10-2, Strand Theatre, Rockland
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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. |
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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! |
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