Aspirus Eagle River Hospital, Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital and Howard Young Medical Center have collectively thrown their support to Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting childhood hunger in Vilas and Oneida Counties. This support will help FORK continue its mission of providing reliable access to nutritious meals for children living in food-insecure households.

In northern Wisconsin, rural families often face unique challenges related to food access. With fewer grocery options, limited transportation, and higher levels of poverty compared to state averages, many households in Vilas and Oneida Counties struggle to consistently provide healthy meals. FORK was created to address these needs and to ensure that children in the community have dependable access to the nutrition they need to succeed. FORK operates a variety of programs aimed at filling the gaps left by traditional food support systems. These include providing emergency meal assistance, supporting local food pantries, and partnering with schools to expand meal opportunities during the week and over weekends. The organization also focuses on critical times when children are most vulnerable to hunger—such as summer, winter, and spring breaks—when school meals are unavailable. One of FORK’s unique approaches is its grocery voucher program, which not only gives families direct access to nutritious food, but also strengthens the local economy by directing those dollars to area grocery stores. This dual impact ensures children are fed while supporting the businesses that serve their communities.

The support from Aspirus Health strengthens these efforts by ensuring FORK has the resources to continue its vital work. Every dollar donated translates into meals and support for children who might otherwise go without. By backing FORK’s mission, Aspirus is helping create a healthier and stronger future for families throughout Vilas and Oneida Counties.