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FILL THE STRAND- ONE WEEK AWAY!
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The 6th Annual Fill the Strand with food and funds event is upon us and we need your help. Born in the Covid era when contact wasn’t possible, this foundational food and fund drive has become critical to helping AIO get through the hardest part of the winter. With all the lights and cheer of the holidays fading and the cold snowy/icy depths of winter upon us, this can be a really hard time of year for many. This year we are targeting to collect 3,500 pounds of food and raise at least $45,000.
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SHOP AT WALMART on Saturday, 1/17 and look for the AIO van and volunteers to be there from 11am-3pm and drop off a bag of groceries.
If you miss this, you can SHOP AT HANNAFORD IN CAMDEN on Sunday 1/18, also from 11am-3pm.
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If you miss either of these opportunities, please stop and see us on Monday, January 19, 9am-2pm at the Strand Theatre. You can drop off a bag of food, sponsor a seat with a financial donation or just say hi! Allen Insurance and Financial volunteers can meet you at your car and take your donation if you prefer not to get out of your car.
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GO ONLINE and make a donation for a “seat and buy virtual bag”
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A $35 donation (1 seat) provides diapers for 2 weeks
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A $70 donation (2 seats) provides food for a family of 4 for a week
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A $105 donation (3 seats) provides heating for a household for about 2 weeks
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A $140 donation (4 seats) provides weekend meals for one of the middle/high schools for a week (that’s about 50 students)
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Volunteer - we still need help if you have time!
Please call Ari at 207-596-1043 to sign up if you are available to help at any of the following:
Friday, January 16 and Monday, January 19: picking up collection boxes and delivering them to The Strand,
Saturday and Sunday, January 17 and 18 - spending time at Walmart (Saturday) and Hannaford-Camden (Sunday) collecting food from shoppers. These are fun opportunities to be with a friend or family helping out in the community.
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COLLECTION BOX LOCATIONS:
Food collection sites have been established at area businesses, including:
Rockland: Allen Insurance and Financial (Rockland and Camden), Ardiah, Atlantic Baking, Bangor Savings Bank, Breakwater Nutrition, Camden National Bank, Cape Air, Cates Realty, Coastal Recovery Community Center, First National Bank, Good Tern Co-Op, Key Bank, Maine State Credit Union, Park Street Laundry, Rock City Coffee/ Café, Rockland Police Department, South End Grocery, Stone Alley Brewery, The Grasshopper Shop, The Strand Theatre, Winifred and Evalyn, YMCA
Rockport: Barnswallow Books, Bleecker & Greer, Graffam Brothers
Camden: Allen Insurance and Financial, Bubbles and Beans Children's Consignment, French & Brawn, Lucky Betty's, Zoot Coffee
Owls Head: Owls Head General Store
Thomaston: Crooked Spoon Co., Hot Hill Tavern, Thomaston Grocery Store
Warren: St. George Pizza
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THANK YOU to the food collection locations and the four stores -HANNAFORD ROCKLAND, HANNAFORD CAMDEN, WALMART and SHAW'S SUPERMARKET- who’ve let us use their parking lot to collect food without whom we couldn’t pull this event off.
Visit the Fill the Strand event page
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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS PARTNERS & SPONSORS!
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YEAR END APPEAL SUCCESS- Thanks to you!
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Every year I have a nervous fall - I’m never sure if we’ll raise enough money for the organization for the winter and new year. We rely on several sources of financial support each year, including grants and fundraisers, as well as support from business sponsorships, towns, and churches. However, our annual letter-writing appeal accounts for about one third of our annual budget.
This year, we had three waves of matching funds from very generous donors and the community responded to the call. We feel so blessed to have reached and exceeded the goals. I’m particularly honored that there were more than 300 first time donors.
THANK YOU doesn’t seem to adequately convey the depth of our gratitude, but will have to suffice for now.
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SPECIAL THANKS TO to the three anonymous donors and the five organizational donors listed below who provided generous matching funds this year.
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NEW AIO TEAM MEMBER: JACOB REYNOLDS
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AIO welcomes Jacob Reynolds, who joins us as a new part time member of the team. Jacob serves as an assistant in the warehouse and market. Jacob relocated to mid coast Maine several years ago with his wife and two cats. After a career in nonprofits and the arts, he is excited to contribute to his community here in Maine. Outgoing and passionate about what he is doing, Jacob is already making an impact at AIO!
Please introduce yourself when you see Jacob and help us welcome him to AIO.
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PIES ON PARADE IS COMING- MARCH 13-15!
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Wow is it that time already?! Save the date for this incredibly fun and filling weekend when instead of a “pub crawl”, you can enjoy a “pie crawl”. The event will be held the weekend of March 13-15, 2026 with these events:
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Friday, March 13, 4pm-6pm - kickoff at AIO with ticket distribution, tours of AIO, a chance to win one of several donated prizes, and a special pie to whet your appetite!
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Saturday, March 14, 11:30am-3:30pm - Camden and Rockport
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Sunday, March 15, 11:30am-3:30pm - Rockland and Thomaston
Tickets are on sale and can be purchased for $25/person per day or $45/person for both days.
What can you do to help?
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Buy ticket/s and attend. Interested in giving the gift of pie? You can purchase Gift Certificates to share for a birthday, an anniversary or just because. Purchase here.
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Sign up to volunteer at the event- register here.
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Do you love to bake? Sign up to bake pies. Contact Alan - alan@aiofoodpantry.org or 207-596-1043.
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Do you have a business in the commercial areas of any of these four towns? Sign up to be a pie stop. Contact Alan - alan@aiofoodpantry.org | 207-596-1043.
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Interested in PoP sponsorship opportunities? Please contact Alan to discuss the levels and benefits. alan@aiofoodpantry.org | 207-596-1043.
This is absolutely the most fun community event you’ll participate in all year. Go with friends, someone special, your family – come and enjoy an incredible variety of pies!
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VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT: MARISSA SANZONE
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Marissa Sanzone has been volunteering at AIO on and off for the past 18 months. We say on and off because she has one of the coolest jobs around and isn’t always in town. Marissa is an outdoor educator and naturalist and leaves for 2-4 months at a time for gigs around the world in places like Costa Rica & California. She teaches youth cohorts about the outdoors and helps them build lifelong skills and a love for the outdoors. When she is in town, she spends some of her time at AIO helping keep the shelves in the market fully stocked and looking great, even on a day with 180 household visits. She always has a smile and is sorely missed when she is out of town. Thank you Marissa, enjoy Australia!
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THANK YOU BARTLETT WOODS & QUARRY HILL
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We are so grateful for the residents at Bartlett Woods who unfailingly help and support AIO! For the AIO entry in the Lobster Festival parade, they decorated our iced cold water coolers with a pirate chest theme, during our letter writing appeals, they have helped with addressing and stuffing envelopes, they have an ongoing food collection box that we regularly pick up. There are many ways to help and support AIO. Follow your passion and let your compassion shine.
Thank you Bartlett Woods!
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WOW! Our supporters at Quarry Hill got together and in the spirit of Christmas built this tree of toilet paper to donate to AIO.
THANK YOU to all the Quarry Hill residents who made this possible!
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Gregory Moore and Rob Bentley
(pictured left to right)
We don’t always know when a member, a volunteer, or a supporter passes. But this year, there are two that we knew and feel their loss.
Early last year we lost Gregory Moore who spent many a Thursday as AIO helping unload the Good Shepherd truck and restock shelves. More recently we learned of Robert (Rob) Bentley's passing. Rob was a regular at AIO on Wednesday mornings. In fact he was almost always the first person at AIO, rain or shine. He had a happy smile and an engaging way.
Their passing makes real the fragility of life. We wish their families our best.
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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. 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. |
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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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