AIO Food and Energy Assistance is reestablishing Pies on Parade, a community-wide event that provides an opportunity for people to sample sweet and savory pies over the course of a weekend, while providing critical support for AIO Food and Energy Assistance which serves all of Knox County. The event had a successful 16-year run before the Covid pandemic stopped this Midcoast tradition.

This weekend-long event, March 14 - 16, is in partnership with Rockland’s LimeRock Inn and Camden’s Blue Harbor House Inn, in honor of AIO’s 35th Anniversary this year. All ticket sales will benefit AIO’s four programs: Food Assistance, Energy Assistance, Weekend Meal, and Diaper Assistance Programs. 

"Bringing Pies on Parade back to Midcoast Maine has been such a fun and rewarding effort," said Michelle Peacock, owner/innkeeper of Blue Harbor House Inn, in an AIO news release. "I’m thrilled with the enthusiasm of the local businesses, and how they immediately embraced this event. As an innkeeper, I not only missed this fun off-season event for locals, but also how it was able to bring visitors to our area, showcasing the sweet (or savory) charm of Midcoast Maine. We look forward to Pi Day Weekend when guests and locals alike will come together over a shared love of pie, and to support the AIO." 

Sean Padgett, Ann Margaret and Ashley Benson, owner/innkeeper of LimeRock Inn, said: “We support Pies on Parade because it brings our community together - the businesses that bake and donate the pies along with everyone who buys a ticket - to support our most vulnerable neighbors with critical food and fuel assistance.” 

Over the “Pi Day” weekend March 14-16, hundreds of pie enthusiasts will sample pies while visiting over 50 participating "Pie Stops" in Camden and Rockport on Saturday, March 15 and in Rockland and Thomaston on Sunday, March 16.

"It’s a fun and flavorful way to give back to the community while showcasing the wonderful businesses that make our towns so special," said AIO.

Tickets are $20 for a one-day ticket or $35 for a two-day/weekend ticket. The list of participating Pie Stops and ticket purchase link are on the event website: www.aiofoodpantry.org/piesonparade

It is not only businesses who get involved with Pies on Parade. Jessie Odgren, a long-time AIO friend and a Camden-Rockport Middle School Teacher, has partnered with Sue Burwell, Family Consumer Science teacher at the school. They will be making blueberry and rhubarb pies using the Family Consumer Science kitchen. These pies will be featured at Once a Tree on Saturday in Camden. (photo reference)

The weekend schedule includes:

• Friday, March 14 “Pi Day”: The Life of Pi movie at The Strand Theatre, 345 Main Street Rockland, kicks off the Pies on Parade weekend at 5:30pm. (tickets to the movie will be sold at The Strand separately from the Pies on Parade Ticket)
  
  
• Saturday, March 15, 12:00 to 3:30pm Camden & Rockport Pie Stops
  • Camden: 16 Bay View Hotel; Barren's Distillery & Restaurant; Blue Harbor House Inn; Buttermilk Kitchen at Marriners; Cafe Louis; Camden Harbour Inn; Camden Windward House; Hideaway Inn; Laugh Loud Smile Big; Lone Pine Real Estate; Once a Tree; Paper Plane; Quarry Hill; Salt Wharf; Sea Dog Brewing Co; Simply Blessed N' More Gift Shoppe; The Villager Café; Whistling Whale Coffee Bar; Zoot Coffee
  • Rockport: Bleecker and Greer; Graffam Bros. Seafood; Rockport Harbor Hotel; The Country Inn at Camden Rockport
    
    
• Sunday, March 16 12:00 to 3:30pm Rockland & Thomaston Pie Stops
  • Rockland: 13 Oak; Atlantic Baking Company; Bixby Chocolate; Black Parrot / Fog Wine; Earth Flow + Fire Yoga / Earth Candy; Fiore Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegars; Hill’s Seafood; In Good Company; LimeRock Inn; Loyal Biscuit; North Beacon Oyster; The Old Granite Inn; Olive Rose Chocolate; Park Street Grille; Project Puffin Visitor Center; Puffin's Nest; Rock Harbor Pub; Stone Alley Brewing; The Apprenticeshop (pies made by Jeff's Marine); The Causeway at Craignair Inn (note: will be co-located at Hill's Seafood); Winifred & Evalyn
  • Thomaston: Flaura Flowers & Wine (pies made by Thomaston Grocery); Flipside Coffee; Hot Hill Tavern; Maine Department of Corrections (location Maine State Prison Showroom); Station 118; The Episcopal Church of St John Baptist; UpRoot Pie Co

"Pies on Parade is such an engaging and light way to connect the community with the very serious situation of households experiencing food insecurity. We anticipate that the funds raised will support the needs of AIO's food programs, and the 1,700 people each week who rely on them, through the balance of winter and into spring. Thank You PoP participants!" said AIO Executive Director Alan Kearl. “We would like to thank LimeRock Inn, Blue Harbour House Inn, Blackberry Inn, The Place Bakery, Chez Geek Soaps and The Waterfront Restaurant for their sponsorship support! We especially would like to thank the Design and Digital Marketing team at the University of Maine at Augusta for creating our marketing materials.”

Is your business interested in sponsoring Pies on Parade?  Contact Alan Kearl (alan@aiofoodpantry.org) to discuss becoming a sponsor.

Are you interested in volunteering at Pies on Parade?  Please visit www.aiofoodpantry.org/piesonparade to sign up to be a volunteer.

About AIO Food and Energy Assistance
Now in our 35th year, AIO provides nutritious food and heating assistance to Knox County families without judgement, always with compassion. Funding and access to AIO’s programs are more critical than ever as food insecurity in Knox County is projected to continue to increase. Knox County currently has the 4th highest food insecurity rate in the state. Child food insecurity is estimated at 17.6%. During the past year, AIO has supported nearly 1,900 unique households in the County, that’s more than 4,200 of our neighbors, or more than 10.2% of the County. AIO has distributed more than 75,000 meals to students through our weekend meals program. AIO’s Energy Assistance Program helps households with heating assistance or electrical disconnection prevention. AIO has nearly doubled the number of energy assistance vouchers vs. last year in what has been a time of overwhelming need. AIO provides a direct path for donors to assist our community by putting your donation to work immediately.