The weather was perfect and the crowds were smiling for the 13th annual Pies on Parade in Rockland on January 29 (always the Sunday before the Super Bowl).   One family of five came all the way from Houston, Texas, when they found Pie Day on the internet. 

The sold-out tickets, the silent auction at Trackside Station Saturday night, and a matching grant from Maritime Energy brought in a grand total  of $25,717.  This is amazing and it’s worth noting that all of that goes to Area Interfaith Outreach  (AIO) food pantry and emergency assistance to help struggling families in Knox County.  All the pies and labor are provided by the 25 restaurants, inns, and other venues in the business community , at their expense.  Historic  Inns of Rockland organizes, prints posters, buys forks,  does all that behind –the-scenes work, at their expense, to make this such a remarkable success. 

The board members and volunteers at AIO  do their bit, plastering the midcoast with posters and welcoming the parade of pie-eaters  at each stop along the way.  This is a community  effort, a heart-warming demonstration of the what can be accomplished when people of good will find creative ways to make a difference.   We are fortunate to live here and grateful to all who stepped up to help.

Unfortunately, the need is growing as decisions in Augusta cut back many pieces of the community’s safety net.   AIO has no paid staff but are all volunteers, working hard to keep up.  You can reach us with questions or to volunteer at info@aiofoodpantry.org.

Sherry Cobb is president of the Area Interfaith Outreach board of directors