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November, 2019
NEWSLETTER
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“Don't wait until the fourth Thursday in November, to sit with family and friends to give thanks.
Make every day a day of Thanksgiving!”
― Charmaine J Forde
Winter is on its way and with it new and improved projects for the AIO Food Pantry. There's much to be thankful for! The Energy Assistance Program has been revamped, the Book Fairy Project is underway, and the Recycling Program is ready for expansion. Read on to learn all the details.
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HANNAFORD Helps Reusable Bag Program
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For the entire month of DECEMBER, every time the reusable $2.50 Fight Hunger Bag is purchased at the Rockland or Camden Hannaford stores, AIO Child Hunger Program will receive a $1 donation.
Let all your friends and family know!
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Expanding our pantry gives us the opportunity to expand the current recycling program. In the next few months we will be forming a team to look into ways to expand and streamline our program to include looking at what other food pantries do with paper, plastic, etc. and to enlist the help of Ecomaine among other ideas.
If you are interested in becoming involved with this exciting and challenging part of the AIO agenda, please email Maggie Witherby at maggielcsw@gmail.com. Thank you!
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The Food Pantry follows a client-choice model where our clients are partnered with a volunteer shopper. Together, they shop our shelves choosing which food items the household would enjoy.
From October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019
we served 4,265 Households / 10,968 individuals
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Book Pantry Fairies
We have received a donation of a Book Pantry from several generous “Book Fairies.” Parents and families are now invited to select a book to bring home with them so that all of the children supported by AIO will be able to share the joy of reading.
New and gently used children’s books can be dropped off at AIO during our normal donation hours. If you have children’s books you would like to donate but you are unable to drop them off during our hours, contact Kit Tolman.
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Food Drives
We are so grateful when the community runs Food Drives for us - this really keeps our shelves full, especially now in the winter months when we are seeing about 40 families per day.
If your business, community group, church or family would like to run a food drive for us, click here for some ideas: Food Drive Ideas.
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Here's a wonderful idea for the holiday season!
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AIO Energy Assistance provides our clients with a little extra help when household budgets are tight.
From October 1, 2018 - September 30, 2019
we issued 625 Vouchers and spent $168,053 on our Energy Assistance Program
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The AIO Energy Assistance Program that helps with heating and electric assistance has been revamped to better serve our clients. Eola Ball, Asher Putterman and Liz Jenkins have worked for months to improve the system and it was rolled out November 4th.
There have been many changes this year including
- Having clients make appointments
- Appointments are when the pantry is closed
- Only helping with 100 gallons of fuel and $200 for an electric shutoff
- Partnering with the Knox County Homeless Coalition for $200 toward a security deposit
- Having appointments and intake forms online
- Clients may make their own appointments online or come into the pantry to make an appointment
- Requiring people to set up a payment plan with CMP and to sign up for LiHEAP with Penquis CAP
- If someone does not show or call, an appointment will not rescheduled
- Our season is from November 1 to April 15 or when our funds are depleted
This has been a big learning curve for volunteers and some had doubts about how it would work. There has been training for Day Managers, Front Desk people and voucher volunteers. After an intense week serving 50 clients, we were all very proud that we did it! There were some glitches and new decisions made in the process. One long time volunteer, nearly dancing with excitement, said, “This is sooo much better! It is quiet and I can hear on the phone when I call the vendors.” This new system gives us an opportunity to interact with clients and to talk about their needs and other services such as Window Dressers, LiHEAP and Efficiency Maine.
An orange flier was developed with the new rules and these were explained to all clients who came to the pantry for a month before the rollout. They have appreciated the one on one time with us. One woman said, “You are all so nice here.” There have been some disgruntled customers who have come into the pantry expecting some assistance on the same day as they had done in the past. One person had a CMP shutoff notice for that day. She talked with CMP and told them she had an appointment with AIO a week later and they agreed to put off the disconnect until she met with us. We also have referred people to their towns for General Assistance.
Big THANK YOUS to our volunteers Bailey Wilcox, Susan Wind, Ron Staschak, Elane Sprague, Donna Allen, Mary Lowell, Dru Woodman, Eola Ball and Asher Putterman. They have jumped in with enthusiasm and a “We can do this attitude”.
Email aioenergyassistance@gmail.com if any questions.
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The AIO Child Hunger Program provides weekend meals and snacks for schoolchildren in Knox County, Lincolnville, and Waldoboro.
We are packing roughly 325 food bags weekly for delivery to 15 schools, as well as serving almost 90 students via in-school food pantries
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Calling All Truck Drivers!
If you have a little time on Tuesday mornings and own a large vehicle (truck, van, SUV), we could really use your help. Once per month, on a Tuesday, the Child Hunger Program receives its food delivery from Good Shepherd Food Bank. The food then has to be transported from Warren to Rockport, which requires multiple vehicles and drivers. Because we're growing, we're hoping to add to our list of back-up volunteers. If this is something you could help with, please let us know!
If you have a larger vehicle and would like to help but Tuesdays don't work, please get in touch anyway. We sometimes need drivers for special events or to take crates of weekend bags to various schools. And as always, you are welcome to join us at 9:00 am on Thursdays at Nativity Lutheran Church on Old County Road in Rockport to pack the food bags.
Email aiochildhunger@gmail.com to volunteer or if you have any questions.
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Building the New Food Pantry
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It was just one year ago when we purchased the Hair Salon next door... and now here we are - foundation walls are poured, the existing building is down to the studs, a new driveway has been created, and so much more.
The construction of the new Food Pantry continues to amaze us! We are so grateful for all the hard work the team has devoted to creating this new facility which will increase AIO’s capacity to serve so many people in our community that need our help. The result of the renovated and expanded space is truly going to do wonders to AIO’s ability to serve More Food, More Often.
Please do a drive by and take a look!
Click here for more information on the new food pantry.
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AIO would not exist if not for the hard work of our volunteers. We are always looking for additional help for specific projects. Please visit our website for more details.
Here are some volunteer roles we are looking to fill:
- (*New Role) Energy Assistance Volunteer. We are looking for volunteers to work with clients on the voucher program. Starting after November 1st, the timing will be Mondays 1:00 - 5:00; Tuesday 8:00am - 1:00pm; Thursdays 8:00- 1:00pm at the Food Pantry. Direct client service, computer and phone skills required. Training will be provided.
- Community Investors Representative. This volunteer will be our liaison with Community Investors working with clients who might need funding for specific items which AIO does not cover. For example, car repairs, housing, or dental/medical costs. Time commitment varies depending on client applications; can be done from home.
- Grant Writer. AIO relies on donations from all sources, including Foundations. We aim to increase our access to funding through additional grants. Hours vary depending on grant applications; can be done from home.
Email aiovolunteer@gmail.com if any questions.
Volunteer for Upcoming Events
GIFT WRAPPERS - Sunday, December 15th
AIO will be gift wrapping at the Grasshopper Shop in Rockland on Sunday December 15 at 12:00 to 4:00. We are looking for volunteers to help at this annual fundraising event. We will be collecting donations in exchange for gift wrapping. Please contact Diann Henderson if you would like to join us!
GOOD SHEPHERD FOOD TRUCK DELIVERY - First Thursday of Each Month 9:00am
- Come help unload the Good Shepherd Food Truck on Thursday, December 5th at 9:00am.
- AIO Food Pantry, 70 Thomaston Street in Rockland
- Contact Tracy Lee Murphy for more details
PIES ON PARADE- January 24-26, 2020
The 16th Annual Pies on Parade event is fast approaching! We'll need help at Friday's Silent Auction and in Camden for Saturday events. Or volunteer for the pie "parade" on Sunday in Rockland by being AIO's representative at the participating businesses counting heads, collecting forks, and watching everyone go pie crazy! 100% of ticket proceeds benefit AIO! Contact Marty Shaw to volunteer.
For all fundraising events, you can sign up on our website. Click here to go to the volunteer form and then click on Fundraising Events.
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Cafe Miranda Fundraiser for AIO
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Cafe Miranda Community Night - Fundraiser for AIO
Date/time: Thursday November 21 5:30 - 7:30pm
Tickets: $45 at the door or buy ticket(s) on the Cafe Miranda Website
Food/Drink: Heavy hors d'oevres and cash bar
Location: The Gautschi Center in Rockland
Can you attend? Will you spread the word?
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