Aspirus Merrill Hospital is helping cultivate a healthier future for local students through its support of the SPARK Program at Merrill High School. The innovative initiative is designed for students who do not thrive in a traditional classroom, offering hands-on, project-based learning (PBL) that builds skills, confidence, and connection. With funding provided as part of Aspirus’ Community Health Improvement program, SPARK focuses on two key areas: gardening and cooking. Students work together to build and maintain raised garden beds on school grounds, learning plant biology, soil health, and sustainable farming practices along the way. Local farmers and horticulturists volunteer their time to mentor students, helping them turn classroom lessons into real-world agricultural skills. The fresh produce they grow is used to support the school’s food pantry and culinary education programs, ensuring that students’ efforts benefit their peers and the community.

In addition to gardening, the SPARK Program offers a Life Skills Cooking Program that teaches students fundamental cooking techniques, nutrition basics, and food safety. Each Friday, students plan and prepare their own lunch, applying what they have learned about meal planning, budgeting, and collaboration. These weekly cooking sessions not only promote healthy eating but also foster teamwork and a sense of responsibility.

Aspirus funds programs like SPARK because they go beyond treating illness and focus on prevention, education, and long-term well-being. Supporting youth development, nutrition education, and access to healthy food helps address root causes of chronic disease and supports Aspirus’ mission to improve the health of the communities it serves. By investing in initiatives like this, Aspirus works to remove barriers to good health and give young people the tools to lead healthier lives.