ROCKLAND — Vera Roberts and Linda Mann have joined the Board of Directors of Area Interfaith Outreach Food and Energy Assistance. Both Roberts and Mann are active community members and bring a wealth of experience to AIO’s Board, according to AIO, in a news release.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Vera and Linda join AIO’s Board,” said Liz Jenkins, president of AIO’s Board of Directors, in the release. “They have both been long time supporters of AIO, so it’s wonderful to have them join in this new capacity. They both bring an incredible commitment to our community-and we are grateful to have them as part of AIO’s community. Their good energy, experience and hands-on approach will serve us well as AIO prepares to step into our new building and a new decade of service to Knox County.”

Vera Roberts joins AIO after working for Camden National Bank for almost 28 years, having retired in June 2018 as a senior vice president and the Midcoast Region commercial manager. Over the past many years she has been affiliated with many nonprofit organizations in the Midcoast. In addition to AIO she serves as president of the Board of Directors of New Hope for Women and a member of the finance committees for the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commercial and the Ashwood Waldorf School. In addition to AIO’s Board, Roberts is the Monday day shift manager at the AIO Food Pantry and is the Board liaison for the Energy Assistance Program.

“I joined AIO’s Board after volunteering at the food pantry, seeing the new building under construction and realizing how much AIO does for the community,” said Roberts. “I also realized how much more AIO can and would like to do to further its mission to provide more food and energy assistance to more people in Knox County.  I am extremely impressed with all that AIO does and now that I’m retired, I have the time to hopefully help the organization serve its mission and reach its goals.”  

Linda Mann has joined AIO’s Board as a representative of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, a congregation that has been part of AIO since its founding 30 years ago.

“I joined the Board to serve St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and the AIO community,” said Mann. “I was introduced to the Pantry through the late Mary Hunter, who was a fierce advocate. I delivered food from the Church weekly for a number of years.”

Mann lives in Rockport and is involved in Church activities including Choir, Episcopal Church Women (ECW), Altar Guild, and serving as a teller. She also volunteers at Bartlett Woods and the Farnsworth Art Museum and belongs to a mystery book club and the Midcoast Community Chorus.

About AIO

AIO Food and Energy Assistance is located in Rockland, whose mission is to respectfully and compassionately support those in need in Knox County with food and energy assistance. AIO’s Food Pantry is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30am-12 p.m., and Wednesday evening, from 5 - 6:30 p.m., and is adhering to social distancing protocols as mandated by the state. To learn more about AIO’s programs, modified operations and the new building project, please visit www.aiofoodpantry.org.

Photo: Vera Roberts (left) and Linda Mann (right)