$15,000 matching grant supports area backpack program

Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK) has issued a $15,000 matching grant challenge to help fund Northwoods Weekend Backpack programs serving the Northland Pines, Three Lakes and Phelps school districts.

“FORK is committed to the long-term success of the area’s weekend backpack programs,” FORK president Perry Pokrandt said in a press release. “Unfortunately, the success of these programs, as measured over time, will be determined by this community’s willingness to fund the cost of helping to feed these kids.”

All funds raised in support of area backpack programs during the month of May will be matched by an annual asset distribution by the FORK Endowment Fund up to the $15,000 level. 

Interested individuals can learn more about the FORK Endowment Fund at feedourruralkids.org/fork-endowment.

“There are more kids, and the food costs more,” Pokrandt said. “This is a big task and we want it to be clear that we fully support the time and energy of all the volunteers who work to make this program possible.”

“Through this matching grant fundraiser, our goal is to shine the spotlight on the efforts of the Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, Faith Lutheran Church, and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church congregations,” FORK vice president and Northland Pines district administrator Scott Foster said. 

“We hope this additional focus will aid in the funding efforts for all of these congregations,” Foster continued.

Through the Weekend Backpack Program, children from food insecure homes are provided the equivalent of two supplemental meals to take home every Friday of the school year.

“FORK is confident that utilizing our endowment fund assets to support efforts like the Northwoods Weekend Backpack programs will make a difference for kids,” Foster said. “That is why we issued a challenge to residents of the Northland Pines, Three Lakes and Phelps School districts, asking all residents to consider supporting their communities’ weekend backpack program.”

Contributions can be made online at www.feedourruralkids.org/15k-challenge. Donations can also be mailed to: Weekend Backpack Program, 4887 Echo Ridge Dr., Eagle River, WI 54521.

Feed Our Rural Kids is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.