On Friday, July 25, 2025, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., AIO Food and Energy Assistance will host its inaugural Fill The Strand with Snacks, Diapers & Back to School Supplies and funds drive to benefit AIO’s children's programs. Similar to the winter Fill the Strand event, this event challenges the community to fill every seat in the historic theater with school snacks, diapers, school supplies and funds to support AIO’s programs that support Knox County children. 

"With the community’s support, we’ll help the children of our community who will be most affected by expected Federal Budget cuts," said AIO, in a news release.

AIO’s goal is to raise $50,000 by the end of August, in celebration of AIO’s 35th anniversary. This Fill the Strand with Snacks, Diapers & Back to School Supplies event is at the center of this summer effort and if successful with raising $50,000 it will unlock a matching gift of $50,000 from a generous donor.

"Your dollar donation will double to two dollars," said AIO.

“AIO is facing a perfect storm of increased demand for our services as many families face the prospects of tariff-induced higher prices and cuts to SNAP, Medicaid and other US Government programs, at the same time, free and low cost food sources have been reduced or eliminated," said Alan Kearl, Executive Director of AIO. "The window of time we might have influenced our elected officials seems closed, we now need the support of the community to help our neighbors."

“The Strand is proud to support the important work of AIO, especially as America’s children face unprecedented challenges." said Anne Rogers-Popejoy, Executive Director of the Strand Theatre. "Adding this second annual opportunity for the community to come together and fill Rockland’s historic theater is a natural step in taking care of our neighbors and one another."

“We’re proud to support the AIO Fill the Strand with snacks, diapers and back to school supplies event. There’s something special about the feeling of a new backpack filled with fresh school supplies and snacks that makes starting the school year so exciting,” said Jennifer Roper, Senior Vice President, Marketing. “At Maine State Credit Union, we are happy to help give kids confidence and the tools they need to have a successful school year. We are thrilled to participate not only as a sponsor, but by contributing backpacks and supplies, as well as volunteers during the day of the event."

In-kind donations are appreciated. Non-perishable food with a current expiration date is appreciated (no glass please). AIO would be grateful for donations of the most needed items including the following:

• Back-to-School supplies – folders, lined paper, markers, crayons, etc
• Food for middle/high school pantry program – granola bars, cereal pods, single-serve microwavable meals, jerky, nuts, dried fruit, etc
• Diapers – any size, boxed or not

Monetary donations are also welcome – "and in fact your dollar goes further since your donation can unlock a significant $50,000 matching donation," said AIO. Any donation amount is appreciated, but the following are levels designed to fit your budget:

• $26 for Back-to-School Supplies – backpack and supplies for 1 elementary school student
• $50 for Weekend Meals – feed an elementary student for a quarter
• $75 for After School Snacks – feed 125 elementary school children during their YMCA-sponsored, after-school program for a day
• $100 for Diapers - provides enough diapers for a child for 11 weeks

AIO is grateful to Maine State Credit Union, the event’s Marquee Sponsor; Partner sponsor: J. Edward Knight Insurance and Business Sponsors: Eastern Tire & Auto Service, High Tide Bar & Grill,  Mercedes-Benz of Scarborough, and Shepard Auto Group.

For more information and to make a donation online please visit https://www.aiofoodpantry.org/news-events/back-to-school-fill-the-strand.

"Whether an in-kind or monetary gift - your support will help the people in our community who need it the most," said AIO.

Food collection sites have been established at area businesses and will be available starting July 1, including The Strand Theatre (Rockland), First National Bank (Rockland branches), Staples (Rockland), Mid Coast Credit Union (Rockland), Walmart (Thomaston) and AIO Food and Energy Assistance (Rockland). 

On Friday, July 25 AIO staff and volunteers will be at the Strand Theatre from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., to accept school snacks, school supplies and financial donations. Drive-up and drop-off service will be available or come in the Strand Theatre, located at 345 Main Street, Rockland.

AIO is proud to partner with two business leaders who are instrumental in making this event possible: The Strand Theatre who hosts the annual Fill the Strand winter event and Maine State Credit Union, who has been dedicated to help end food insecurity in Maine for the past 33 years.

For more information about the event and how you can participate please contact Alan Kearl at alan@aiofoodpantry.com or event coordinator Leila Murphy at murphy.leila@gmail.com. 

About AIO Food and Energy Assistance 

Now in our 35th year, AIO provides nutritious food, heating and diaper assistance to Knox County families without judgement, always with compassion. Knox County currently has the 4th highest food insecurity rate in the state. Child food insecurity is estimated at 17.6%. Numerous studies link child food insecurity to lower cognitive skills and test results, higher absence rates and more classroom and playground disruptive behaviors. AIO is focused on closing the food insecurity gap in Knox County. During 2024-25 we distributed more than 94,000 meals to students through our weekend meals program, more than 18,000 snacks through the Penobscot Bay after-school programming and more than 55,000 diapers. AIO provides a direct path for donors to assist our community by putting your donation to work immediately.