No time of the year can stretch a family’s financial resources like the holiday season. 

So in response to this challenging time of the year, Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK)  Inc., has arranged for an expanded holiday food distribution, according to FORK President Perry Pokrandt

FORK, in collaboration with the Northland Pines High School Student Council, administration and staff, will distribute approximately $140,000 of food through the Farmers to Families program. 

The holiday food distribution will be Friday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the rear parking lot of the Northland Pines Middle and High School building. All area residents are eligible to drive through and claim one of 2,800 food boxes shipped and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“It is a real opportunity for our students and district staff to have a hands-on experience helping families from across the region navigate the nutritional challenges during this pandemic,” said Scott Foster, Northland Pines district administrator and vice president of FORK. “We hope that as many families as possible can participate in support of providing a higher level of food security to their kids.”

This holiday food distribution is a nationwide partnership between the USDA, farmers, ranchers, specialty crop producers, food processors and distributors, and nonprofit organizations like FORK.  

“Being able to provide this much free food to our community is perfectly timed,” continued Foster. “This will ensure that area residents and specifically our students’ families will have access to this fresh and wholesome food during the COVID-19 national emergency.”

FORK was involved in two previous food distribution events in St. Germain earlier this fall.

“By expanding this holiday distribution from our last distribution of 1,200 boxes up to 2,800 boxes of food, we plan on providing each family with two boxes of food,” added Pokrandt.

To make this last food drop of the year a reality, FORK again will collaborate with the Vilas County Department of Emergency Management.

“Everyone is eligible, and everyone is welcome,” saidSherri Congleton, director of the Vilas County Office of Emergency Management. “Remember, these boxes will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.” 

Individuals who plan to receive food should enter the Northland Pines High School’s rear parking lot off Pleasure Island Road. For everyone’s safety, individuals should remain in their vehicle and open their hatch or trunk. Volunteers will place the food boxes in the vehicle. 

For questions regarding the food distribution, call Pokrandt at (715) 410-8167.

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