I can't begin to express the gratitude we feel to you, who have given so much, to help so many during our recent Fill The Strand event. This year, our sixth, we collected more than 7,400 pounds of food and more than $40,000. Everything we collected during this event is at work as I write. AIO distributes more than 20,000 lbs of food each week and the food and funds you donated will help AIO feed the community for the next 5 weeks and get through the hardest part of the winter.

Fill the Strand is a true community event, made possible by a team of individuals and businesses who help in the planning and execution of the day itself. This year we had:
— 24 business financial sponsors
— 33 businesses who hosted food collection boxes
— 4 food retailers who let us set up AIO’s van with volunteers in their parking lot 
— More than 57 volunteers who collected food, weighed it, organized it, moved it and put it away
— 587 "virtual seats" purchased by community members 
— 564 seats worth of bagged food donated by individuals, families and businesses 
WOW!  
 
Your help in between snow storms and bitter cold weather is nothing short of amazing. Thank you everyone! 
 
I invite anyone who is interested to come for a visit at AIO, I’d love to give you a tour and show you how your support is at work. Feel free to stop in weekdays, between 9-5, or call the office or my cell ahead of time. I look forward to showing you what we have been able to accomplish together. 
 
With gratitude,
Alan

Alan Kearl is executive director of the AIO Food & Energy Assistance in Rockland