May winner

Fueling families with food, energy and diaper assistance

938 Votes
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When Allen Insurance and Financial was looking for a service project in 2020 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national day of service, they couldn’t have predicted the kind of partnership that would form five years later. Their nonprofit partner, AIO, plays a vital role in the community, assisting over 10% of Knox County residents in Maine. Each week, more than 350 families rely on the AIO food market, while 700 students benefit from the weekend meals program. In 2024, AIO provided 526 energy assistance gifts, easing the burden for households facing difficult choices between food, warmth, and medical care.

Since that first service day in 2020, the Allen team has mobilized volunteers and provided significant sponsorship each year. This initiative has grown exponentially, collecting nearly 2,400 pounds of food and raising $39,000 in donations in 2025 alone — enough to sustain AIO’s essential programs through the harsh winter months.

“We foster a culture of giving back, where employees are motivated to contribute to AIO’s mission or that of a food pantry close to their office. Our team values the work AIO does and looks for meaningful ways to contribute – whether through volunteering, supporting food drives, or helping spread the word about AIO’s impact,” says Jill Lang, marketing director at Allen, who coordinates the team’s work with the event.

“The pandemic created a real turning point for our partnership, where Allen team volunteers stepped up without hesitation to meet an unprecedented need. That challenging experience reinforced our commitment to the event and its continued success.”

A $10,000 Make More Happen Award would provide three weeks’ worth of food for the AIO market, energy payments for approximately 25 households, and support the weekend meal program for students.

By voting for Allen Insurance and Financial, you help ensure that AIO can continue its crucial work in the community, alleviating hunger and energy insecurity for countless families. Join the effort to make a difference — your vote counts!

AIO Food and Energy Assistance, with people-power from Allen Insurance and Financial and the team at the historic Strand Theatre in Rockland, Maine, filled the theatre seats with bags of food to help feed families in Knox County, Maine. (Video by Leila Murphy)
938 Votes
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Erin Meyer
11 hours ago

AIO, Allen and the Strand- now that is a powerful trio for good in our community!

Nataly N Contreras
3 days ago

Thank you, AIO, for all your support!!!

Celeste
5 days ago

Great cause! Nice work Allen Insurance!

Libby E Davis
9 days ago

I am proud to work for a company that actively supports a fantastic non-profit organization dedicated to helping our community! Thank you, Allen Insurance & Financial. Thank you, AIO!

Ann Yahner
10 days ago

I hope everyone votes for AIO. This is very important since federal funding is being cut.

Jessica Duffy
10 days ago

AIO is an invaluable asset to our community. They continue to grow and strive to meet the needs of our neighbors. Thank you to Allen Agency for working closely with AIO to ensure success for us all.

Leslie
10 days ago

What a great organization! It has been wonderful to watch them grow and wonderful to watch the community make it possible. Kudos!

Jan Pendleton
10 days ago

AIO does wonderful work!

Drucinda Woodman
10 days ago

What a great organization AIO is! CONGRATS! Let’s keep it up.

Daniel MacNeil
11 days ago

Great cause! Nice work Allen Insurance!

Michael Cushman
11 days ago

Congrats and what a great organization

Amy Brewer
11 days ago

What an amazing organization!

Nadine Mort
11 days ago

AIO is a community treasure!

BGB
11 days ago

Doing really great work, helping, supporting, modeling!

Jack Matheson
11 days ago

A great organization providing an ever growing essential need!

Andrea McFeely
11 days ago

AIO represents everything good, ethical, and impactful community service. Their passion and compassion is evident every day.

Elizabeth Pearce
11 days ago

A great organization doing great work.

Liz Jenkins
11 days ago

As former Board Chair of AIO I am incredibly proud of what this organization continues to do to meet the needs of the community. Now offering home
grocery delivery, Spanish language resources and the garden projects are underway.

Toby LeCrone
11 days ago

AIO is a welcoming, supportive resource that does so much for so many in our community–a vital part of our local safety net that helps strengthen families!

Francis M Hackett
11 days ago

AIO is an amazing resource serving the needs of the community in so many ways providing comfort and treating all with dignity.

Nadine Bangerter
11 days ago

AIO just finished Pies on Parade that brought out community together and raised funds for food and heating. A win for everyone ❤️❤️

Ann Yahner
11 days ago

AIO is a great community agency that provides many services for a lot of people. I don’t know what we would do without them.

Kriste Ernest
11 days ago

AIO provides so many needed services to our community, thank you AIO!

Chris Rector
11 days ago

An organization that recognizes the need for community assistance with dignity!

Molly Feeney
11 days ago

AIO reflects the heart of this community. Their relentless commitment to service is inspiring. They feed our neighbors with food, warmth, and hope. It is a privilege to work alongside this incredible organization.

Jeanne
11 days ago

With a long history of inter-faith support, AIO brings people together, and truly exemplifies that we’re all in this boat together, ready to help each other.

Jennifer
11 days ago

AIO creates a sense of Community while service the vulnerable of the community.

Nancy Ford
11 days ago

‼️Nice open house yesterday!
and thank you all for ongoing support to our communities

Becca Mowen
11 days ago

AIO is a really special place run by amazing people!

Marie
11 days ago

Thank you, AIO, for your commitment to helping with food insecurity and other vital needs of the community.

Tracey
11 days ago

Thank you, AIO, for doing such vital work in our community!

Ed Weeks
11 days ago

Thanks, appreciate local support !!

Meredith Batley
11 days ago

AIO is an essential resource for our community! Many thanks to the Allen Agency, Liberty Mutal, and Safeco for recognizing and supporting the critical services AIO provides!

Catherine Steiner-Adair
11 days ago

AIO serves a critical need with compassion and respect

Nancy Scovern
11 days ago

AIO provides much needed assistance to our neighbors. Thank you to AIO and to Allen Insurance and Financial!

Leila Murphy
11 days ago

Thank you Allen Insurance and Financial for your great partnership!

Stephanie Davis
12 days ago

Thank you for all that you do!

Debbie Tyler
12 days ago

Thank you AIO for all you do for the community 🙂

Mallory Arsenault
12 days ago

This is such a wonderful organization providing much needed resources for the community!

Last edited 12 days ago by Mallory Arsenault
Leann Cailler
12 days ago

great fundraiser

Chad Roger
12 days ago

Great organization doing some amazing things

Jill Lang
12 days ago

Thanks to all for their votes! We can Make More Happen for AIO!

Linda St Clair
12 days ago

Such a great organization!

Ali Dailey
13 days ago

I am so happy that Allen Insurance supports this vital community resource!

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