Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK) president Perry Pokrandt, left, is pictured with Rep. Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander). (Submitted photo)
5/23/2023 5:28:00 AM State legislature recognizes FORK with special citation
It's been an eventful couple weeks for Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK), first with a proclamation last week by Gov. Tony Evers celebrating Feed Our Rural Kids Week in the state May 15-21, and now with a special citation signed by Rep. Rob Swearingen and State Sen. Mary Felzkowski celebrating the program.
"A citation by the Legislature is a way to formally recognize people or organizations from around the state of Wisconsin who have made a positive contribution to their community," Swearingen explained in a press release announcing the FORK citation. "FORK has made an impact on the children of the area. Therefore, Sen. Felzkowski and myself wanted to recognize that fact."
The citation congratulates FORK on its "outstanding efforts and dedication to addressing rural food insecurity in northern Wisconsin," acknowledging the giant strides FORK has made within the community since it was created in 2019. FORK has a long list of initiatives, including providing snacks and meals for families in the Northwoods, and creating a sustainable future for local children. In addition, the citation also recognized FORK's partnerships with multiple food pantries in northern Wisconsin, enabling the provision of meals to numerous families across the region, and raising statewide awareness about rural food insecurity.
FORK also has successfully raised more than half a million dollars through its FORK Endowment Fund in order to offer financial assistance to organizations dedicated to providing food to local children.
"Recognition of FORK and our mission by the Wisconsin State Legislature is the highest of honors," said FORK President Perry Pokrandt. "We want to thank State Rep. Swearingen and State Sen. Mary Felzkowski for their support of FORK and our work to support area children."
Feed Our Rural Kids is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, incorporated in May of 2019, to provide nutritional support to children from food insecure homes within the Northland Pines, Three Lakes and Phelps school districts.
"By adding their voices to the conversation about childhood food insecurity, both Rep. Swearingen and Sen. Felzkowski have endorsed the efforts of all Northwoods area food support organizations, including FORK, to help area children overcome the challenge of their childhood food insecurity," added Pokrandt.
Individuals wishing financially to sustain the efforts of FORK can contribute online at feedourruralkids.org/donate. Contributions can also be mailed to: Feed Our Rural Kids, 4887 Echo Ridge Dr., Eagle River, WI 54521.
The Northwoods River News | Walker Communications, LLC 232 S. Courtney Street, Rhinelander, WI 54501 | Office (715) 365-6397 | Fax (715) 365-6361
Corporate billing office: The Lakeland Times / Lakeland Printing Inc. | P.O. Box 790, Minocqua, WI 54548 | (715) 356-5236 | Fax (715) 358-2121 Members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association, Wisconsin Community Papers, Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce, Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce
