ROCKLAND — Area Interfaith Outreach (AOI) food pantry has been awarded a $2,000 grant from Good Shepherd Food Bank to build a stronger infrastructure. AIO will use the funding for a computerized system for putting client and donor records in a searchable data base to speed up checking-in clients and updating records. They will also use the grant to install the necessary internet connections and purchase a desk-top computer.

Area Interfaith Outreach in Rockland serves all of Knox County with food and limited assistance with necessities like heat, electricity, and rent. It is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

As numbers of households seeking help continue to increase, AIO has been challenged by the limitations of a four-drawer file cabinet and manila folders for accessing and updating client records, as well as for supplying the demographic information often requested in grant applications.

“Entering the essential information into the data base will be a big job, of course,” says AIO board president Sherry Cobb, “but we have volunteers willing to share that task. Life will be so much simpler when this is up and running.”

Good Shepherd Food Bank began its Capacity Building Grant Program in 2015 to support partner agencies as they build stronger infrastructures, expand programs and provide even fresher, more nutritious product for the ever-growing need in their communities. In total, the Food Bank granted over $90,000 to 43 organizations throughout Maine.

 “We are thrilled to be able to support our partners in this way,” said Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “One in seven Maine households depends on its local hunger relief charity for food each month, so it’s critical that these agencies have the resources and support they need.”

Good Shepherd Food Bank obtained the funding for these awards from a number of sources, including the Brain Foundation, Narragansett Number One Foundation, TD Foundation, BJ’s Charitable Foundation, Walmart Foundation, Cargill, Partnerships to Improve Community Health/Centers for Disease Control, Simmons Foundation, and the National Dairy Council.

About Area Interfaith Outreach (AOI):

With twelve member religious congregations and the slogan “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” AIO has been helping Knox County residents in need for 25 years. This past year they served nearly 5,000 households, 12,500 people. This fall a Weekend Backpack program has been added to address food insecurity in the homes of 200 school children by sending food home with them every Friday. Websites: www.aiofoodpantry.org and www.knoxadoptabackpack.org  Address: 70 Thomaston Street , P.O. Box 113, Rockland, ME 04841. Phone: 207-596-1043

About Good Shepherd Food Bank

As the largest hunger relief organization in Maine, Good Shepherd Food Bank provides for Mainers facing hunger by distributing nutritious food to 600 partner agencies across the state, including food pantries, meal sites, and youth programs. Together with its network, the Food Bank leads a statewide effort to combat the root causes of hunger by engaging in advocacy, nutrition education, and strategic partnerships. In 2014, the Food Bank distributed 17.5 million meals to families, children, and seniors in need throughout Maine. Website: www.feedingmaine.org; Phone: 207-782-3554

Area Interfaith Outreach gets grant from Good Shepherd Food Bank to upgrade to digital database.