Two years ago, when Alan Kearl started as director of AIO Food Pantry and Energy Assistance, the facility was serving around 325 households per week. Today, they see around 700. The increases in numbers can be traced to certain events in recent history, according to Kearl. During the election period around the end of 2024, AIO membership increased to an estimated 500 households per week. Last summer, the impacts of tariffs kicked in, increasing food pantry membership closer to 550. Confusion over potentially freezing SNAP funds inched numbers up to 600 during a 3-4 week period in November. Following announcements that the federal government would pay SNAP, numbers did not decrease, because a harsh winter set in, increasing numbers closer to 650. Now, in the past 4-5 weeks, with fuel prices and health insurance uncertainties, numbers hover around 700 per week. The energy assistance program alone has around 500 subscribers per quarter.

Just this week, AIO has a stack of applications estimated at 5 inches tall. Those are just the handwritten paper copies. Other completed online forms await attention on the computer screen.

“I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a Shut-Off Notice. It’s kind of harshly written” said Kearl. “It’s a business, I understand that, but I would feel traumatized [if I received one]. What would I do?”

Given the cold winter and rising fuel prices, an AIO volunteer and benefactor has wondered the same on behalf of low-income residents of Knox County. Therefore, he’s made a promise to AIO and the community: raise $60,000 this month, and he’ll match and double that amount for a total of $180,000 for energy assistance, enough money to help upwards of 900 households.

Years ago, AIO’s energy program only dealt with oil. Members could apply for a $300 rebate in the Fall. If funds were available, a second round might be offered after the new year. In spring, a person could apply again, but only if a Shut-off Notice was produced. Ultimately, AIO doesn’t want to delay assistance until the shut-off notice. Organizers want to be proactive. And they also recognize that fuel is not the only challenge. Without electricity, some people don’t have heat, or well water, or lighting. For those who don’t live off the grid, electricity is life, survival.

“If somebody comes in and says I need some help, we’re going to try to figure out a way to help them.”said Kearl.

AIO does not require tax returns or other daunting financial paperwork. They don't ask questions, according Kearl. They remain a low-barrier program. A substantial change to the program is that the energy assistance program is now year-round. 

The way the program works is that people come once per quarter. March 1 began the current quarter. But, a few people came in at the end of February who’d already received their assistance for that previous quarter. Their tanks were empty again. Instead of telling the person he was out of luck until the next quarter, AIO helped him at the time of need, and simply stated that he’d need to wait an extra quarter until he could be funded again. The same circumstance has occurred for a few other people in March.

This is the end of April, in Maine, with nighttime temps still dipping into the teens.

“It’s still not warm,” said Kearl.

AIO hasn’t seen any shut-off notices in the past week or so, but volunteers fully anticipate the notices to come.

Should the community generate $60,000, AIO will feel more confident in distributing more of its funds to the surge of new applications expected.

“It’s an amazing thing, from this volunteer, at a time in which it is so critical.”

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com