Save the date! AIO to host a back-to-school Fill the Strand event!
We’re excited to announce our inaugural FILL THE STRAND with Snacks & Back to School Supplies Event
Friday, July 25, 2025 10am–2pm at The Strand, Rockland
Snacks & supplies in every seat. Help for every student & family.
On Friday, July 25, 2025, 10:00am-2:00pm AIO Food and Energy Assistance will host its inaugural Fill The Strand with Snacks & Back to School Supplies, and funds drive to benefit AIO’s children's programs. Similar to the winter Fill the Strand event, this event challenges the community to fill every seat in the historic theater with snacks, school supplies and funds to support AIO’s programs that support Knox County children. With the community’s support, we’ll help the children of our community who will be most affected by expected Federal Budget cuts. AIO’s goal is to raise $50,000 by the end of August, in celebration of AIO’s 35th anniversary. This Fill the Strand with Snacks & Back to School Supplies event is at the center of this summer effort and Iif successful with raising $50,000 it will unlock a potential matching gift of $50,000 from a generous donor. Your dollar donation will double to two dollars!
“AIO is facing a perfect storm of increased demand for our services as many families face the prospects of tariff-induced higher prices and cuts to SNAP, Medicaid and other US Government programs, at the same time, free and low cost food sources have been reduced or eliminated. The time for lobbying our elected officials is past, we now need the support of the community to support our neighbors in need,” says Alan Kearl, Executive Director of AIO.
“The Strand is proud to support the important work of AIO, especially as America’s children face unprecedented challenges. Adding this second annual opportunity for the community to come together and fill Rockland’s historic theater is a natural step in taking care of our neighbors and one another,” shares Anne Rogers-Popejoy.
AIO is grateful to Maine State Credit Union for their generous support of the event as our Marque Sponsor.
“We’re proud to support the AIO Fill the Strand with snacks and event. There’s something special about the feeling of a new backpack filled with fresh school supplies and snacks that makes starting the school year so exciting,” said Jennifer Roper, Senior Vice President, Marketing. “At Maine State Credit Union, we are happy to help give kids confidence and the tools they need to have a successful school year.”
How will it work?
On Friday, July 25 AIO staff and volunteers will be at the Strand Theatre from 10:00am–2:00pm to accept food, school supplies and financial donations. Drive-up and drop-off service will be available or come in the Strand Theatre, located at 345 Main Street, Rockland. AIO is proud to partner with two business leaders who are instrumental in making this event possible—The Strand Theatre who hosts the annual Fill the Strand winter event and Maine State Credit Union who has a long tradition of giving back to those in need in the community.
In-kind donations are greatly appreciated. Non-perishable food with a current expiration date is appreciated (no glass please). AIO would be grateful for donations of the most needed items including the following:
Back-to-School supplies – folders, lined paper, markers, crayons, etc
Food for middle/high school pantry program – granola bars, cereal pods, single-serve microwavable meals, jerky, nuts, dried fruit, etc
Diapers – any size, boxed or not
Monetary donations are also welcome—and in fact your dollar goes further since your donation can unlock a potentially significant, $50,000 matching donation. Any donation amount is greatly appreciated but the following are levels designed to fit your budget:
$26 for Back-to-School Supplies = backpack and supplies for 1 elementary school student
$50 for Weekend Meals = feed an elementary student for a quarter
$75 for After School Snacks = feed 125 elementary school children during their YMCA-sponsored, after-school program for a day
$100 for diapers = provides enough diapers for a child for 11 weeks
For more information and to make a donation online please visit www.aiofoodpantry.org/strand Whether an in-kind or monetary gift—your support will help the people in our community who need it the most.
Food collection sites have been established at area businesses, including The Strand Theatre, First National Bank (Rockland branches), Staples (Rockland), Mid Coast Credit Union (Rockland), Walmart (Thomaston) and AIO Food and Energy Assistance (Rockland).