REACH-SPENCER HONORED WITH 2022 CRIMSON FORK AWARD
By Vilas News-Review, Posted on January 31, 2023
Betsy Reach-Spencer was presented with the FORK Crimson Award last week at Vilas Food Pantry. Taking part in the plaque presentation are, from left, FORK Vice President Scott Foster, Reach-Spencer, pantry President and FORK board member Jackie Coghlan, and FORK board member Rick Miech. —Staff Photo By MICHELLE DREW
The board of directors for Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK) has announced Betsy Reach-Spencer as the recipient of the 2022 Crimson FORK Award.
“Betsy’s first role in support of the Vilas Food Pantry was in late 1999. She, in collaboration with others, worked to create a formalized organizational structure which to this day allows the Vilas Food Pantry to be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,” explained FORK President Perry Pokrandt. “Now, over 20 years later, Betsy still serves on the board of directors as the Vilas Food Pantry treasurer.”
Vilas Food Pantry President Jackie Coghlan, who is also a member of the FORK Board of Directors, said the pantry relies on Reach-Spencer’s experience in the ongoing management of the organization.
“As a certified public accountant, Betsy has helped us keep the doors of the Vilas Food Pantry open for decades,” she added.
The Crimson FORK Award was created to be an expression of FORK’s gratitude for the non-monetary contributions of an individual, organization, or business to mitigate childhood food insecurity across the Northland Pines, Phelps and Three Lakes school districts. This is the third annual award to be presented. Previous recipients included the Vilas County News-Review and Prince of Peace for operation of its Backpack Program.
“This is the first time the Crimson FORK has been awarded to an individual,” Pokrandt continued. “There could be no more deserving recipient than Betsy Spencer.”
Spencer said she was humbled to be recognized with the award.
“And I am graciously accepting this on behalf of the entire Vilas Food Pantry family. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to serve,” she added.
In addition to her help at the Vilas Food Pantry, Reach-Spencer has given her time to many other organizations in the North Woods. She acted as co-organizer for Cranberry Fest volunteers for 19 years, spent six years on the Nicolet College Board of Trustees, and served for six years on the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce Board where she was president for two years.
She was also awarded title of Woman of the Year by the chamber in 2003, and spent more than 20 years volunteering as the commissioner for Eagle River Light and Water.
Individuals wishing to financially support the Vilas Food Pantry can mail a contribution to: Vilas Food Pantry, P.O. Box 761, Eagle River, WI 54521. Anyone who would like to volunteer their time at the pantry should contact Sandy Weber at gandsweb@charter.net.
FORK is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To learn more about FORK’s efforts to support children from food insecure homes, visit feedourruralkids.org.
