Volunteer Programs
Thanks to our Volunteers, AIO's food market is well stocked, free diapers are available, weekend meals are going home with school children, and homes are warm.
Your participation and support as part of the AIO community is a source of encouragement and inspiration.
There are a number of ways to get involved as a Volunteer. Our volunteer programs are detailed below. We have opportunities for everyone!
Our Volunteer Coordinator will connect with you to plan a visit to AIO for a tour, meet our team and match you with the best-fit volunteer opportunity.
We offer 30-minute orientation sessions which are held on the 2nd Tuesday and 3rd Thursday of each month. This is an opportunity learn more and ask any questions.
Food Market Team
The AIO Market is an indoor shopping experience available on Mondays & Wednesdays from 10am-6pm and Fridays 10am-12pm. We have a large variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, dry goods, snacks, beverages, and personal hygiene items. We welcome clients to shop as often as needed, up to once per week.
Food Market Volunteers are AIO’s front-facing team who provide direct support with our members. Volunteers support members with enrollment of AIO programs, answer questions about the market and other resources we offer.
Volunteer Roles: (All roles are in person at AIO during Open Hours)
Market Volunteer: Assist and support AIO Members as they shop the shelves of the Market Area. This is a direct support services role
Check In Desk Volunteer: Greet AIO Members upon arrival and scan Member card; answer any questions members may have
Market Restock Volunteer: Keep the Market food shelves and refrigerator stocked during open hours
Shifts Available: 2 & 4-hour blocks of time on Monday, Wednesday & Friday (Saturday shifts coming soon!)
Location: 1A Gordon Drive, Rockland (entrance of the industrial park)
Program Timing: Year-round during Market open hours
More details: Visit Food Assistance Program
Warehouse Team
The AIO Warehouse is the central hub of our operations where food comes in, gets organized and distributed to the community. The Warehouse has multiple food shelves, walk-in freezer and refrigerator as well as distribution refrigeration units in the Market – all of which need to be continually organized and supplied.
Warehouse Volunteers keep the inflow and outflow of resources organized, greet in-kind donors who drop off donations, help unload delivery trucks, breakdown cardboard, keep the vegetable storage unit clean and organized, identify low food item supplies to the Warehouse Manager, and assure equipment is in working order.
Volunteer Roles:
Receive incoming food and keep the warehouse clean and safe
Keep the shelves, refrigerators, and freezers organized
Provide maintenance as needed
Available Shifts: Various times Monday - Friday
Location: 1A Gordon Drive, Rockland (entrance of the industrial park)
Program Timing: Year-round during open hours
Diaper Program Team
AIO provides diaper bags in the Market containing 20 diapers + 1 package of wipes or 10 training pants
Diaper Program Volunteers stock the market with diapers, manage inventory, pick up diapers at donation locations, and assist in diaper drives to increase diaper availability for families.
Volunteer Roles:
Stock Food Market with inventory Tuesday & Thursday 10am – 12pm (in person at AIO)
Pick up diapers at donation location (driver role)
Coordinate Diaper Drives, create awareness of program (in person and virtual)
Program Timing: Year-round during Market open hours
More details: Visit Diaper Assistance Program
Energy Assistance Team
AIO helps households with either heating fuel or electricity disconnection prevention.
Energy Assistance Volunteers coordinate direct payments with fuel or electricity providers on the client’s behalf.
Shifts: Tuesday & Thursday 10am – 12pm
Program Timing: Energy Assistance Program is available October 1 – April 30
More details: Visit Energy Assistance Program
Weekend Meals Program Team
AIO provides meals and snacks for school-age children in Knox County during the school year. Every Friday, bags of kid-friendly food are brought to participating schools for students to eat over the weekend.
Weekend Meal Volunteers assemble food bags and deliver to schools in Knox County
Volunteer Roles:
Prep and organize food items, or pack bags of food (in person, at AIO)
Program Coordination (administrative, virtual)
Deliver to schools
Available Shifts:
Tuesday team organizes and prepares the items for Wednesday’s packing
Wednesday team packs the bags of food in an assembly line of 7 volunteers.
Program Timing: Weekend Meals is active during the school year (September - June).
More details: Visit Weekend Meals Program
Food Transport (Driver)
The tagline for Food Transport is “Pick Up Food. Give It Away.” Food, diapers and other resources come to AIO in a variety of ways. As a food transport driver, you might be assigned to pick up food at Good Shepherd Food Bank, one of the area grocery stores, or from a donation drop-off location. Or, you might drop off food at the various AIO distribution shelves in the area, including at the Ferry Terminal or the Airport to get food to the islands.
Food Transport Volunteers are a critical component to the success of our operations to food and supplies where they need to be to serve the community. AIO now has a delivery food van which is very exciting!
Volunteer Roles:
Food Transport Driver within the MidCoast
Food Transport Driver to Good Shepherd Food Bank, or other locations outside of the MidCoast
Available Shifts: Various times Monday - Friday
Program Timing: Year-round, timing is flexible
More details: Visit the AIO Food Van
Administrative and Events
AIO has a small, but mighty team of 4 staff members who oversee administration and operations. Administrative and Event volunteers are needed to support all that we do. Many of these activities can be done from home and have flexible hours.
Administrative Volunteers should let us know what types of skills you want to offer. Skillsets we typically look for are data and reporting, fundraising and outreach efforts, volunteer coordination, Weekend Meal Program coordination, technology projects, and much more.
Event Coordination Volunteers join an Event Planning Team and will join planning calls specific to the event. This may include being onsite for the event itself, but this is not required. Planning calls are typically held over several months leading up the event. Depending on what event role you take on, timing is flexible.