Land O’Lakes Couple offers $20,000 Matching Grant with FORK

Thanks to a Land O’ Lakes couple, a fundraising opportunity has been established for Feed Our Rural Children  Inc. (FORK).

Between now and Memorial Day (May 25), 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.

“We have two reasons for stepping up at this time,” explained Baack. “First is that the need has never been more real in our country, let alone in our community; and secondly is that Mike and I are blessed as we’ve never had to go without.”

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 1,000 meals a week through its Meals Now program. The cost of the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic support to the Northland Pines School District was $24,000.

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

FORK President Perry Pokrandt said his board is overwhelmed by the generosity of Baack and McAdams.

“It’s at times like this that the true grit of a community is measured. So the FORK board of directors would like to thank everyone in the community who has helped us to get where we are and everyone who will take us to continue into the future,” said Pokrandt.

FORK is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and donations are tax-deductible under the new relaxed guidelines of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

“Plus, remember that every dollar you donate to FORK between now and Memorial Day will be matched by the Baack-McAdams gift,” said Pokrandt.

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