Fork has $40,000 Fundraising Goal; Bret & Frisk Concert Planned May 23rd

On Saturday evening, May 23, Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK) Inc. will present a two-hour online fundraiser with an audacious goal of $40,000. It’s called Bret and Frisk and Friends – A Concert for the Kids.

“Those kids are the children from food insecure homes who receive nutritional support from FORK throughout the year,” said FORK President Perry Pokrandt. “What makes our goals realistically possible is the fact that between now and Memorial Day, for every dollar donated to FORK, Margaret Baack and Mike McAdams of Land O’ Lakes will match FORK’s collected donations up to $20,000.”

“It is our hope that by partnering with FORK, we can help those children from the growing number of food insecure homes within the Northland Pines School District,” shared donor Margaret Baack. “It is our belief that this gift from our family will encourage other families to donate what they can at this time. Five dollars, $20, $100 or more, every dollar will make a difference to those kids.”

“We are overwhelmed by the financial generosity of Margaret and Mike,” commented Pokrandt.

The online concert will be broadcast on YouTube Saturday, May 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. Individuals looking for a good time will find the link to the YouTube concert in two places. Listeners can visit FORK’s website, feed­our­ruralkids.org, or find the link by going to FORK’s Facebook page, Feed Our Rural Kids.

Bret and Frisk, a popular local musical duo, will host the event along with six of their musical friends from around the area. The artists include Taylor Rae Bolte, Scott Kirby, Michael Saint, Mark Wayne, Pete Stoltman, Chris McFarland and Mark and Michelle Zanoni.

“There has never in memory been a Memorial Day weekend like this one,” offered Bret Miller. “The unusual and tragic circum­-

stances around the COVID-19 pandemic means the show is possible. Without this national challenge, we could never have brought this much talent together during the summer season.”

“This is a chance to kick back and watch or listen from the comfort of your own home, out on your deck or sitting by the campfire. You and your family can enjoy the best of this new kind of Memorial Day weekend,” said Frisk Miller. “Even more than that, it is a chance for those who can, to donate, and have it make twice the difference because of this matching grant.”

FORK was created to provide nutritional support to school-aged children from food insecure homes within the Northland Pines School District. Currently, FORK is providing children just over 1000 meals a week through their Meals Now program. The cost of the first phase of their pandemic support to the Northland Pines School District was $24,000.

“This fundraiser is to help Feed Our Rural Kids provide phase two of FORK’s pandemic support. Phase two will be a one-month extension of the Meals Now program through June at a cost of $8,000,” said Northland Pines District Administrator Scott Foster. “It will also help raise the money for two months of the FORK Cares program with a cost of almost $13,000.”

The COVID-19 experience has been a challenge for the district to find ways to get children food and FORK has been with the school system every step of the way, according to Foster.

“FORK invites you to be part of this amazing community event this Memorial Day weekend,” Pokrandt said. “You will find the link to Bret and Frisk and Friends by going to FORK’s Facebook page at Feed Our Rural Kids or go to FORK’s website at feedourruralkids.org.”

FORK is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and donations are tax deductible under the new relaxed guidelines of the Cares Act.

Individuals wanting to donate can go to feedourruralkids.org to contribute by credit or debit card or mail a check to FORK, 4887 Echo Ridge Dr., Eagle River, WI 54521.