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NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNOUNCED
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After a comprehensive search the Board is pleased to announce that Nicole Chaplin will join AIO as the organization’s next Executive Director, succeeding Alan Kearl who is retiring.
Nicole brings more than 20 years of community-based non-profit leadership experience and believes deeply in the power of relationships, collaboration, and community. She is passionate about bringing people together to build strong, responsive organizations that help individuals and families thrive. Most recently Nicole served as the Director of Early Childhood Programming / Head Start with Kennebec Valley Community Action Program (KVCAP), where she led a successful $3M campaign for a new innovative educational wing in the Margaret Chase Smith Community School in Skowhegan, ME.
“We are excited that Nicole Chaplin is joining AIO. She is an accomplished leader who combines a deep commitment to serving others with expert professional knowledge and skill. She will certainly strengthen and extend AIO’s capacity to serve the needs of Knox County citizens,” said Ted Long, AIO Board Chair.
“I am truly honored and excited to join an organization with such a strong commitment to the community and to the people it serves,” shares Nicole Chaplin.
A transition from Alan to Nicole will take place over the course of November with Nicole assuming full responsibility November 26th.
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EARLY BIRD GETS THE MATCH!
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We can use your help! Our Year-end Fall Appeal is our most critical fundraiser of the year. Our hope is to secure one-third (1/3) of our annual budget-- with a goal of raising $800,000 by the end of the year, which will give us a strong start to 2027.
There are four businesses who are as concerned as we are about the looming winter and the early +65% increase in fuel oil vs last year and want to help. Camden National Bank, Fisher Engineering, Rockport Steel, and Starlight Kitchen & Bath have come together to create a $20,000 Early Bird matching gift challenge to kick off this drive.
When you make a gift between now and November 21, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000, doubling the impact of your gift!
We are grateful for your consideration. You can make a donation online today by clicking the button below. Thank you.
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Our matching gift challenge is made possible thanks to the generosity of the following businesses:
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Our 5th annual ArtFeeds: Artists in Action Against Food Insecurity wrapped up on September 26th and was a great success thanks to the many people who were involved. We owe thanks to so many….from the residents at the prison who created the bowls and their leaders who supported them in this project of service, creativity and making amends; to our partners Colin Page and Kirsten Surbey of the Page Gallery who worked tirelessly to identify and select artists to participate; to the 39 different artists who gave of their time and talents to support our efforts; to the 72 bidders who placed 550 bids. This year’s ArtFeeds brought in more than $27,000, about +25% more than the previous two years.
We are particularly grateful to the new artists who participated this year, the 2 high school students, and the 5 prison residents. New this year was a separate, adjacent exhibition by three past ArtFeeds artists whose creations were curated as the “Pantry of Curiosities", with a portion of the proceeds donated to AIO.
This event is very special because of the varied community groups who come together to support AIO with passion and creativity. They show us a strong example of how we can all help in our unique ways. Thank you.
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OCTOBER IS ESTATE PLANNING MONTH
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Did you know you can include AIO in your Will? There are many options from a simple bequest, to a gift of stock, to various options that save you on taxes. We understand that llong term life planning is a deeply personal process that takes time, consideration, and conversation; however as you contemplate your own plans, we would be grateful if you considered AIO. You do not need a large estate to make a profound difference—even a small amount can leave a lasting impact, helping to ensure that our Knox County neighbors can always count on AIO—just as they have for the last 36 years.
Information about AIO's Planned Giving Program can be found on our website. If you have already designated AIO as a beneficiary, we'd be grateful if you would let us know- an intention form can be found here. We know that life changes and plans can shift, but knowing you’ve included AIO in your end of life plans will help clarify the future financial foundation for AIO. We’ve been around 36 ½ years and with your help, we intend to be around at least another 36 ½ years.
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INVITATION: Pies on Parade Info Session: NOV 5
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Yes, we know it is more than 5 months away, but time moves fast and with more than 55 pie stops and bakers, more than 50 volunteers, half a dozen business sponsors, and 700 participants, this is a serious fundraising event that takes a lot of planning to make it flow seamlessly.
If you are interested in learning how you can help (as a pie stop, a pie baker, sponsor or volunteer) we'd love to have you join us for an informational meeting at AIO on Thursday, 11/5 from 12pm - 1:30pm. A light lunch will be served. We need your help!
While an RSVP is not required, we would be grateful to know if you plan to join us so we can plan accordingly.
RSVP by October 30 to Alan, alan@aiofoodpantry.org | 207-596-1043.
Support Pies on Parade by being a Sponsor! We have a number of sponsorship opportunities available. If you'd like to learn about the opportunities and benefits please contact Alan at 207-596-1043 | alan@aiofoodpantry.org
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Pies on Parade Gift Certificates Available!
Give the gift of pie this holiday season! Tickets make a great birthday, retirement, or holiday gift for family and friends. If you wish to give tickets (and receive a gift certificate you can share with the recipient) please allow 1 week for processing. For any holiday gifts, please purchase tickets no later than December 18 at 12pm.
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TENDERWILD FARM LAUNCHES WINTER STORE -
Discount offered to AIO community
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Our friends, Peter and Morgen, at Tenderwild Farm have been incredible AIO supporters from the day of their first harvest four years ago. So far this year, AIO has received over 3,000 pounds of the freshest produce in Maine and we are so appreciative of this support.
As we move into the fall/winter, they will be launching their online winter store this November. They are offering the AIO community a 5% discount throughout the season! From November through January, you can shop for fresh, certified organic produce from Tenderwild and other Maine farms, alongside fresh bread, dairy, pantry staples, and provisions from local makers.
Order online on Sundays for Friday pickup at convenient locations throughout Midcoast Maine, or choose local home delivery. Use the code AIO5 at checkout to take 5% off your order.
The store opens for ordering Sunday, November 1, and will be available to browse in late October. Learn more about how it works here.
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FINAL PIZZA NIGHT!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 4-6pm
Tenderwild also extends a warm welcome to the AIO community to join them for their final pizza night of the year with wood-fired pizza from Uproot Pie Co.
To learn more and register visit here.
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The school year has started strong with more than 25 schools and kids' programs receiving snacks and food each week. 12 volunteers make this program very special to the approximately 1,000 children that benefit from regular, healthy food.
Doesn’t this week’s selection make you want to be in 4th grade again:)!?
Would you like to support the Weekend Meals Program?
- Those interested in volunteering can learn more here.
- If you'd like to make a donation to the program you can do so here and indicate Weekend Meals.
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FILL THE STRAND 2027
SAVE THE DATE - JANUARY 18!
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SAVE THE DATE!
AIO is hosting the 7th annual Fill the Strand event on Monday, January 18 at the Rockland Strand Theatre.
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE!
Is your business or organization interested in supporting AIO while receiving acknowledgment through event promotional materials? If so, contact Alan (207-596-1043 or alan@aiofoodpantry.org) to learn about Fill the Strand sponsorship opportunities. Deadline to sign up: November 30.
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You may remember that AIO has long supported The Union Church at Vinalhaven with food for their weekly pantry. Over the past few years we have added the Vinalhaven School with Weekend Meals (about 68 children weekly), the Island Medical Clinic with a satellite food shelf (about 30 people weekly), and now we are providing the exact same home delivery boxes for 35 families on the island that we provide for 145 families on the mainland.
Feedback lets us know this support is not only critical for island residents, but very much appreciated. We work to fulfill our mission to support ALL of Knox County. From Friendship to Appleton and Washington to Vinalhaven and Mantinicus, we provide needed support through our six core programs to about 3,000 individuals each week.
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You may know that a few days before the Thanksgiving holiday, we hold a massive food distribution day. Last year there were more than 500 households that received a box of food and a choice of a turkey, turkey pot pie, a gift card, or a vegetarian option.
It is quite a production with more than 20 schools, businesses, churches and service clubs holding food drives throughout the month to support this event. We also have the help of 30 volunteers who sort, organize and prepare the food boxes, and another 20 or so volunteers who help distribute the food. This is truly a community effort.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please reach out to Ari if you are able to volunteer (ari@aiofoodpantry.org) or to Alan if you would like to sponsor a food collection drive (alan@aiofoodpantry.org. Ari and Alan are both reachable by phone at 207-596-1043.
All food donations need to be delivered to AIO by Friday, November 20.
The following is a list of food we are collecting:
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We received 53 Personal Care products kits from our friends at the Hampton Inn & Suites and The Rockland Harbor Hotel.
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AIO was the recipient of donations and proceeds from the 1st Annual “Meat Brawl” held at Primo. We also received all the left over meatballs from all the participating chefs!
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September 30 was the last day of AIO’s fiscal year. Thank you to the approximately 25 volunteers who helped us count and weigh all of our food and diaper inventory. We had a little more than 15,000 pounds of food and about 21,000 diapers on hand. For those of you in the know, 15,000 pounds only represents about 4 days of inventory. Happily we received about 12,000 more pounds shortly after we finished counting!
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AIO hosted Dr Puthiery Va, director of the Maine CDC, for a tour and discussion about our Home Delivery program. Serving about 180 households we provide not only physical, but also emotional sustenance that is so needed in the community.
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Thank you to 10 Camden National Bank volunteers for your help, from stocking and putting away, to cleaning and organizing, and assembly.
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We received grants from United Midcoast Charities (General Program Support), Agnes M. Lindsay Trust (Home Delivery), Starbucks (Satellite Food Shelves), Shaws (Gift cards for Christmas). We are grateful to these foundations and businesses for their support.
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We hosted a co-hort of incoming Bowdoin College Freshman- 14 hardworking, socially conscious students. Maybe there is hope for the rising generation, afterall!
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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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