|
|
|
|
|
VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT: THE ROPE COMPANY
|
|
|
|
AIO relies on about 300 active volunteers and in any given week we have about 135 volunteer slots to fill. Some come and some go, we appreciate them all. But there is a group that we have come to rely on because they are always supportive of AIO and come on one of the hardest days each month. I’m talking about volunteers from the Rope Company. Logan Rackliff is an owner and founder of The Rope Company and along with several of his employees they help AIO on Thursday mornings - helping as we receive and unload 5-8 pallets of food delivered by Good Shepherd. Motivated by his strong religious beliefs and a desire to support those in need, Logan leads by example and encourages his team to volunteer with him. It is amazing to watch as the chaos of a messy scene of people and boxes moving all around the warehouse becomes a calm, quiet, organized area within an hour or so.
We so appreciate The Rope Company volunteers and their donation of time and funds to support AIO!
|
|
|
NEW AIO TEAM MEMBER: TANSY MYSTER
|
|
|
|
AIO welcomes Tansy Myster, our new part-time Assistant Program Manager, who will focus on Home Delivery and Weekend Meals. Tansy's passion for feeding people started early and continues to grow: from her early career in aquaculture, to her passion for cooking and gardening, to her nurturing youth as a teacher and homeschool mom, and to her volunteering with AIO since 2018. Tansy is no stranger to serving her community through her work, having been a Program Director at Herring Gut Learning Center before starting a family, and later as an alternative education teacher at Medomak Valley. She looks forward to this new opportunity to assist her Knox County neighbors.
Tansy can't wait to meet more of the AIO community in her new capacity, so please introduce yourself when you see her in action! She can be reached by email at tansy@aiofoodpantry.org.
|
|
|
|
MEMBER HIGHLIGHT: RITA WILEY
|
|
|
|
“Put your scissors where your mouth is." That is what our very own Rita Wiley said to her competitors at the Sardine Packing championships held during the 1970 Lobster Festival where she was named the fastest sardine packer in the world. For 38 years she cut heads and tails off sardines and packed them in tins at the rate of 1 sardine every second. I’ve watched video clips of her and my eyes almost can’t keep up. She is REALLY fast. Asked about how she could work that fast, she said, “When I see a job to do, I just have to get it done and they kept my pile of sardines coming and I kept cutting and packing!” Rita became so well-known that she was invited to make appearances on The Johnny Carson Show”, “What’s My Line” and “To Tell The Truth” - all popular TV shows from the 1960s and 1970s. We love having Rita (and her friend Ida) in the market every week, her sunshine adds so much to the Friday morning vibe.
|
|
|
|
AIO 35th ANNIVERSARY FILM PREMIER
|
|
|
It was a rainy evening but that didn't deter people from joining us at the Strand for a conversation on the Face of Food Security: Now & In the Future with panelists (left to right): moderator Elaine Appleton Grant, Jemma Penberthy, Director Community Health, Maine Health, Heather Paquette, CEO Good Shepherd Food Bank, and Colleen Hanlon-Smith, Owner Peak Season Produce, Daybreak Alliance. If you weren't able to join us we invite you to watch the recording of the discussion here.
We also premiered our 35th anniversary film created by filmmaker Scott Sell. We invite you to watch the film below.
|
|
|
|
Created by Scott Sell, Little Legs Multimedia Productions
|
|
We are pleased to share that our 4th annual ArtFeeds Exhibition & Online Auction which closed on September 13th was a great success. We are incredibly grateful to the 47 artists who participated in this year's exhibition - and their generous donation of time and creativity in support of AIO's programs. This exhibition wouldn't be possible without our friends and partners at Page Gallery who so beautifully display the artists' bowls and platters for the week long exhibition. We are also grateful to the Maine State Prison Woodworking Industries for providing the 47 wooden bowls and platters used by artists.
In total nearly $22,000 was raised from the online auction for AIO. For context, this covers the food costs for our Market (serving about 900 people/week), our Home Delivery program (serving about 175 people/week), and Self-Serve Shelf Units—all 12 of them (serving about 300 people/week)—for 3 weeks. That’s 1,375 people fed for three weeks. We are incredibly grateful to all who participated and supported AIO.
If you didn't have a chance to visit the exhibition at Page Gallery, we invite you to view the participating artists and their bowls on our website.
|
|
|
We hope you find the opportunity to join AIO in helping everyone in Knox County enjoy a peaceful Thanksgiving surrounded by food, family, and friends.
|
|
|
We know that one of the important ways we can meet the challenges of changing federal support is by finding more food. The big statistic often quoted by Food Rescue specialists is that 30-40% of all food produced never makes it to a dinner plate.
In August we learned that we weren’t going to receive bread from our primary bread supplier for an undetermined amount of time. After knocking on several doors unsuccessfully, we happened upon Country Kitchen. They are a cross docking, short term bakery warehouse in Waldoboro. After asking if they ever have extra bread, they pointed to about six stacks of bread trays each about 14 trays tall, each tray with about 10 loaves of bread on it and said, “sure, you can have all you want, just return the trays”.
We’ve been receiving about 2,500 lbs each week ever since. Not only does this partnership save wasted food from the landfill, but it also FEEDS people.
We are so grateful to all our food partners who help in two ways - save people and save the planet!
|
|
As much as we need food donations and volunteers sorting food, we also need to raise funds for food and diaper purchases, energy assistance payments, and market operations. Given the dramatic changes to Federal safety net supports, we are braced for an ever bigger year as many of our neighbors are being pushed ever nearer to the financial edge and aren’t able to afford fresh, healthy food or to stay warm through the winter.
Our Year-End Appeal raises about 1/3 of our annual budget. This fall our goal is to raise $500,000 by December 31. To kick this appeal drive off, we have an Early Bird Matching fund of $120,000!
|
Double Your Impact- $100,000 Match Challenge!
ALL DONATIONS RECEIVED BY NOVEMBER 21
will be matched dollar for dollar up to $120,000
We are incredibly grateful to the anonymous donor who has so generously provided matching funds to help us reach our goal.
|
|
|
|
Will you consider making a donation to help us reach our goal?
You can donate online via the button below,
mail a check (PO Box 113, Rockland, ME 04841),
or visit our website to earn about other ways to give.
THANK YOU! |
|
|
|
Plans are underway for our 6th annual Fill the Strand event, which will take place at the Strand Theatre in Rockland on Monday, January 19, 2026, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Fill the Strand has become a critical food and fundraiser to help AIO provide services during the most challenging time of the year. In its first five years the event has raised $170,000 to support AIO's programs.
How can you help?
- We have a variety of SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES available. Deadline is Nov 7.
- This is a great opportunity for families to help children learn about giving. A list of MOST NEEDED ITEMS will be available on our website starting Dec.1.
- If you belong to a service organization or church congregation that would like to hold a food/fundraiser or be a COLLECTION LOCATION and help gather food please let us know.
- Or consider rallying a group of friends, colleagues or neighbors to join you in a food/fundraiser by collecting items in the weeks leading up to the event-- we are happy to loan you collection bins if helpful.
Contact Alan Kearl at alan@aiofoodpantry.org or 207-596-1043 to discuss ways you'd like to be involved. Visit the Fill the Strand event page
|
|
|
People often ask how AIO is funded and while we focus on reporting about our fundraisers as they happen throughout the year, one of the important funding sources we rely on is Grants. Grant sources can include family foundations, service clubs and businesses.
This year we have been successful securing 16 grants totalling more than $225,000. We are so thankful to these Grantors who realized 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:
* West Bay Rotary
* Evelyn S. and K.E. Barrett Foundation
* Tabitha and Steven L. King Foundation
* United Mid-Coast Charities
* The Estate of Carole Brand
* The Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation
* The John T. Gorman Foundation
* Rockland Rotary
* The Bingham Program
* The Fisher Foundation
* Allen Insurance/Liberty Mutual/Safeco
* Sadie and Harry Davis Foundation
* Anonymous Family Foundation
* WalMart
* The Reny's Foundation
* The Agnes M Lindsay Trust
We are also grateful to the individuals and families who give so generously through grants from their Donor-Advised Funds.
|
|
|
AIO AROUND TOWN - SAVE THE DATE!
|
|
|
We hope you will stop by and see AIO at these upcoming community events:
THANKSGIVING MEAL DISTRIBUTION AT AIO
November 25, 2025
......................
FILL THE STRAND
January 19, 2026
......................
PIES ON PARADE
March 14-15, 2026
|
|
|
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. DROPOFF 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! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
