An Annual Expression of FORK’s Gratitude
The Crimson FORK was created to be an annual expression of FORK’s gratitude for the non-monetary contributions of an individual, organization, or business to mitigate childhood food insecurity across central and eastern Vilas County.
Program Qualifications
The one and only defining factor or qualification, so as to be recognized, is what the Feed Our Rural Kids Board of Directors determines as that year’s ‘best effort’ in the mitigation of childhood food insecurity within the jurisdiction of the Feed Our Rural Kids organization.
This effort at mitigation and its value to the communities that FORK serves can be measured over any period of time. It might be a single event or project. It might be recognition for a higher level of contribution as measured over weeks, months, or years.
Nomination Process
Nomination can be taken year-round from the link below.
Determination of Honoree
The final vote for the previous year’s honoree will be taken on the second Thursday of January at the monthly meeting of the FORK Board of Directors.
Announcement of the Honoree
Announcement of the individual, organization, or business to be honored will be made to the public by the last day of January.
Latest Honoree
Members of the FORK Board of Directors presented Jackie Coghlan (center) with the prestigious Crimson FORK Award recently for her assistance with local programs to aid children in food-insecure homes.
—Contributed Photo
Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK) has announced that Jackie Coghlan of Eagle River as the winner of the 2023 Crimson FORK award.
Coghlan’s background of caring for, teaching, and feeding children spans a lifetime.
For the last 20-plus years, she has served as a volunteer with the Vilas Food Pantry in Eagle River, where she has served as the president of the pantry’s board of directors since 2005. Other pantry volunteers describe Coghlan as “dedicated and committed.”
Additionally, Coghlan has served as secretary on FORK’s Board of Directors since 2019. For the last five years she has helped to direct the course of FORK and its efforts to feed area kids.
“This announcement comes with great joy and a level of sadness,” said FORK President Perry Pokrandt. “As effective Jan. 11, Jackie will be retiring from the FORK Board of Directors.”
The Crimson FORK 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.
“Jackie truly deserves this recognition for all that she has done to support kids within our community since the first day she joined the staff at Northland Pines,” added FORK Vice President Scott Foster.
Additionally, Coghlan was awarded Wisconsin Middle School Principal of the year in 2013. She served as Northland Pines Middle School principal from 1998 until her retirement in 2014. Before coming to Eagle River, she was a classroom teacher in southern Wisconsin, starting in 1975.
Individuals wishing to financially support her continued work at the Vilas Food Pantry can mail a contribution to: Vilas Food Pantry, P.O. Box 761, Eagle River, WI 54521.
Individuals wishing to volunteer to help at the Vilas Food Pantry can contact Sandy Weber at gandsweb@charter.net.
Feed Our Rural Kids 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.
Support FORK
Donate Via Mail
Feed Our Rural Kids, Inc.
4887 Echo Ridge Drive
Eagle River, WI 54521