FORK distributes food security resource guides

Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK) has just distributed 170 of their updated 2025 Food Security Resource Guide (Resource Guide) to those who are on the front lines in the fight against food insecurity in Vilas and Oneida counties.
These individuals may include educators, counselors, social workers, law enforcement officers, pastors and priests, food pantry directors, homeless shelters, county officials, school district administration and more.
The Resource Guide was created in partnership with the Vilas and Oneida County Departments of Social Services to address their need for comprehensive and accurate information about sources for food support across the North Woods.
“Throughout the year, FORK collects updated information regarding all of the food support programs available to local residents,” said FORK President Perry Pokrandt. “Those updates are then included and redistributed in the following year’s Resource Guide.”
Vilas County Human Services Director Valerie Wielhouwer explained that resource information is always changing, saying that programs come and go, hours of operation change, program qualifications change, and contact information is “in a constant flux.”
“Human Resource Department resources are limited. In the past, these ongoing changes challenged our social workers in their efforts to offer accurate direction to the residents to whom they provided support,” she said.
As those changes are ongoing, FORK regularly updates its online version of the Resource Guide as new information is made available throughout the year.
“Our online Resource Guide ensures that our area professionals always have accurate information by which they can advise food insecure families,” continued Pokrandt.
Additionally, all area residents have access to this information themselves at FeedOurRuralKids.org/Resource-Locator. The online Resource Locator provides a directory of available food support resources by community.
“The support available to a household is dependent on the community in which they live,” said Wielhouwer. “The Resource Locator shows what programs are available to residents based on the community in which they live.”
Individuals can also access this information by calling FORK’s Family Food Helpline at 888-479-FORK (3675). The call is answered by professionals who will help area residents connect with the programs that will best meet their needs.
The Family Food Helpline is available to residents of all ages.
Feed Our Rural Kids is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.