Historic inns of Rockland donate $25,768 to food pantry, fuel assistance
On Feb 8, 2017, innkeepers, restaurant owner and business members who participated in the 13th Annual Pies on Parade Pie Tour presented a check to the Area Interfaith Outreach (AIO) Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program for $25,768 representing all ticket sales, silent auction and raffle proceeds, and cash donations from the annual pie tour. This takes the total donations for AIO’s food and fuel assistance programs to more than $160,052 from the Pies on Parade’s 13-year tenure.
Once again in 2017, the Rockland Pie Tour sold out all 656 tickets prior to the event, an increase of 50 tickets over last year, indicating the “pie-passion” among those visiting Rockland on a chilly winter Sunday.
More than 45 varieties of pies were baked and an estimated 14,000 pieces of pie were consumed by tour goers who ended the tour pie-eyed.
Twenty-five inns, restaurants and businesses from Rockland and Camden collectively donated more than 600 hours of time and thousands of dollars in products and services to ensure a sizable donation could be made to the food pantry once again this year. Additionally, gift certificates, gifts, artworks and other items were donated to the silent auction and raffle from businesses throughout the Midcoast, raising $2,220 toward the total donation.
Maritime Energy matched the $2,000 raised from cash donations dropped into the collection oil cans, the auction and special events during the pie tour.
“We’re happy to say that once again that so many businesses donated their time, pie-making materials and products so that one-hundred percent of the ticket sales, silent auction and cash donations could be given to the AIO Food Pantry to help Midcoast families in need,” said Cheryl Michaelsen, co-owner of the Berry Manor Inn and Historic Inns of Rockland member, in a news release.
“Best of all, three members of the Camden lodging group joined us this year, making this a multi-town event. Once again, we are delighted and in awe of the community spirit embraced by Midcoast businesses to help those in need,” finished Frank Isganitis, co-owner of the LimeRock Inn. “With need for food and oil at an all-time high, especially in the winter, we’re happy that pies once again translated to nourishment and heat for 650+ needy Midcoast families,” added Historic Inns of Rockland member and co-owner of the Granite Inn, Ed Hantz.
The 14th Annual Pies on Parade event promises to be an even larger extravaganza of pie and community spirit. Scheduled for Sunday, January 28, 2018, tickets are already on sale online at www.PiesonParade.com. Lodging packages including tickets are available too.
