FORK steps up in face of federal government shutdown

$45,000 available to families

“Children are not pawns in a game played by politicians.”

Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK) President Perry Pokrandt has announced that FORK will begin distributing money to local families who will not receive their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the ongoing government shutdown.

“That is why, effective Nov. 1, FORK will begin the distribution of up to $45,000 worth of FORK Now and FORK Extra grocery vouchers to children being denied SNAP benefits due to the current government shutdown,” Pokrandt said.

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is a critical food support system for millions of American children.

“For many of our area’s kids currently living in food insecure homes, SNAP benefits provide more than just food — they offer hope, stability, and a pathway to better health and development,” Pokrandt continued.

This November, children who depend on SNAP are particularly vulnerable, as during the current government shutdown there will be no food support distributed to families.

“This interruption of food assistance aggravates household food insecurity, inappropriately impacting children’s health, growth, and academic performance,” said Julie Szafranski, the FORK Now chairperson and Vilas County Department of Human Services economic support supervisor. “To mitigate the effect of these denied benefits, in November, Feed Our Rural Kids will distribute a $100 FORK Now grocery voucher to every child impacted by the succession of SNAP benefits in the Northland Pines, Three Lakes and Phelps school districts.”

The FORK Now program has long provided emergency nutritional support to children who are faced with life situations that trigger fast declining levels of food security within the household. Traditionally, those circumstances have been in instances such as job loss, family health challenges or death, divorce or separation, fire or eviction.

Additionally, those impacted children are also eligible to receive $50 FORK Extra grocery vouchers when their caregivers visit either the Vilas, Headwaters, or Three Lakes Christian food pantry for the first time.

The average SNAP benefit in Wisconsin is around $160 of food a month per child. Combined, FORK programs could potentially provide affected children with equal or greater levels of food support, as their families can also take advantage of the FORK Pantry in their community. Families are invited to learn about FORK Pantry use and the 12 pantry locations at feedourruralkids.org/ fork-pantry.

For our area’s children from food insecure homes, SNAP benefits help their families purchase nutritious foods, ensuring those children receive the essential vitamins, minerals, and calories they need for healthy growth, Pokrandt added.

“SNAP benefits help mitigate academic, behavioral, and developmental risks to these children by enabling their families to provide regular, balanced meals, supporting children’s ability to learn, focus, and thrive in school,” continued Szafranski. “We believe that by our actions in support of children today, FORK is opening doors to a brighter future for vulnerable children tomorrow.”
SNAP benefits have long been essential for the health and well-being of children, not just in our hometowns, but across the country.

“The time for games is over, the time to act is now!” Pokrandt said. “I call for our congressional representative Tom Tiffany to stand up and lead by calling for Congress to feed the kids.”

“You see, all the local food support programs, combined, cannot permanently replace the positive impact of SNAP benefits funded by the federal government upon the lives of children,” Pokrandt concluded.

All families with children attending the Northland Pines, Three Lakes, and the Phelps school districts will be contacted with specific information on how to claim this support.

FORK is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Individuals wishing to stand with the kids, and with FORK, can contribute financially at feedourruralkids.org/donate or mail their contribution to: FORK, 4887 Echo Ridge Dr., Eagle River, WI 54521.