CashFORKids begins August 1

Feed Our Rural Kids 6th annual CashFORKids fundraiser begins Friday, Aug. 1st and runs through Aug. 31st.

CashFORKids is FORK’s largest fundraising event. Its goal is to raise necessary funds to provide nutritional support for children from food insecure homes across the Northland Pines, Three Lakes and Phelps school districts.

“Once again, the fundraiser will be a collaborative effort of all Eagle River financial institutions in support of FORK’s mission,” explained CashFORKids Chairperson Lexi Scafaro. “However, new this year, will be the involvement of FORWARD Bank in both Three Lakes and St. Germain.”

Last August, the Eagle River financial institutions, through CashFORKids, provided area children with the equivalent of more than 10,000 meals through their collective participation in this event.

“We are excited to receive the support of our local FORWARD Bank locations,” added FORK President Perry Pokrandt. “Working together, our local banks and credit union will help us raise the funds needed to underwrite FORK’s four nutritional support programs within the Phelps, Three Lakes, and Northland Pines school districts, as well as underwrite FORK’s Family Food Helpline.”

FORK programs try to reach area kids in multiple ways. The FORK Pantry program distributes food to children through their 12 pantry locations throughout area communities. The program invites families to ‘Take what they need.’ Recently they expanded with a 2nd St. Germain pantry location at that elementary school.

Additionally, the FORK Cares program provided grocery vouchers to families during periods of time when their children do not have access to school breakfasts and lunches; during the kids spring, summer, and winter vacation periods.

Plus, the FORK NOW program makes available emergency nutritional support to children impacted by circumstances that have led to fast declining levels of food security in their homes. FORK recently expanded this program by partnering with the Eagle River Police Department.

The FORK Extra program, new last year, looks to aid local pantries by helping them to attract more families with children to their service. FORK Extra does this by offering families, new to each pantry, bonus support as part of their first visit. Recently FORK added a free visit to Ruby’s Pantry in Rhinelander to that benefit so as to introduce area families to an additional tool to stretch their family food budgets.

Finally, the Family food Helpline (888-479-FORK) continues to be a resource for all residents living in Vilas and Oneida Counties who are looking for help finding enough to eat.

More information on each of these programs and more can be found online at feedourruralkids.org.

“Charitable giving has softened in this uncertain economic environment,” commented Scafaro. “Yet we are optimistic that CashFORKids will to raise at least $30,000 to underwrite a portion of FORK’s nutritional support efforts for the year ahead.”

Individuals can donate in person to this effort at Nicolet National Bank, Associated Bank, Ripco Credit Union, People’s State Bank, Incredible Bank, Great North Bank, and BMO Harris Bank all of Eagle River. As well as FORWARD Bank locations in Three Lakes and St. Germain.

Donations can also be made online at feedourruralkids.org/cashforkids, or checks can be mailed to: CashFORKids, 4887 Echo Ridge Dr., Eagle River, WI 54521.

“This collaborative effort of our area’s financial institutions provides FORK with the critical financial support needed to help feed our area’s children,” concluded Pokrandt. “We are more than grateful for the communities’ continued support.”

Feed Our Rural Kids is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.