Get ready for our Summertime Fill the Strand!
School snacks & supplies in every seat. Help for all children.
Friday, August 7, 2026 10am–2pm at The Strand, Rockland
On Friday, August 7, 2026, 10:00am-2:00pm AIO Food and Energy Assistance will host its second Fill The Strand with Snacks, Diapers & 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 school snacks, diapers, 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 whose families are most vulnerable to the challenges of higher food and energy costs, rents and transportation costs.
This Fill the Strand with Snacks, Diapers & Back to School Supplies event is at the center of this summer effort. AIO’s goal is to raise $50,000 by the end of August– and if successful it will unlock a matching gift of $50,000 from a generous donor. Your dollar donation will double to two dollars!
“Don’t we all remember ‘the butterflies’ on the night before the first day of the new school year? Will that cute boy/girl be in my class? Which teacher will I get? Will I have the right clothes? For some, these are "privileged kid" worries. Imagine being hungry. Imagine being the kid who wasn’t able to get a backpack or a new set of markers. The AIO effort to gather and disseminate food and school supplies through a dignified shopping experience is so important to building self-esteem in our children. We want to equalize the first day of school so that everyone can start off focused on learning. I hope we collect enough donations to help every child 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, Executive Director of the Strand Theatre.
“At Maine State Credit Union, we’re so happy to help give kids the confidence and tools they need to succeed," shares Jennifer Chipman, Business Development Coordinator at Maine State Credit Union. "Supporting our community and investing in local families is at the heart of what we do, and we’re honored to be the lead sponsor of this important and impactful event that helps students begin the school year ready to learn and thrive.”
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 significant $50,000 matching donation. Any donation amount is greatly appreciated, but the following are levels designed to fit your budget:
$30 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 one mont
AIO is grateful to Maine State Credit Union, the event’s Marquee Sponsor; Partner sponsor: J. Edward Knight Insurance; Champion sponsors: Back Cove Yachts and Quirk Auto Group, and Business Sponsor: The Tailored Closet
For more information and to make a donation online please visit aiofoodpantry.org/strand-back-to-school. 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 and will be available starting July 1, including the Strand Theatre (Rockland), Hot Hill Tavern (Thomaston), Camden National Bank (Rockland and Camden), Grasshopper Shop (Rockland), First National Bank (Rockland branches), Staples (Rockland), Maine State Credit Union (Rockland), Eastern Tire(Rockland), and AIO Food and Energy Assistance (Rockland).
How will it work?
On Friday, August 7 AIO staff and volunteers will be at the Strand Theatre from 10:00am-2:00pm to accept school snacks, 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 been dedicated to help end food insecurity in Maine for the past 33 years. This year Frank 106.9FM will be broadcasting live throughout the event from under the Strand Marque
Questions? Please contact Alan Kearl, alan@aiofoodpantry.org or Leila Murphy, murphy.leila@gmail.com.
AIO is grateful to our sponsors:
