New Bethany, a local nonprofit that provides nutritious food access, housing, and social services, announced the appointment of four existing board members to leadership roles on the Board of Directors Executive Committee. These four professionals personify New Bethany’s mission of offering hope and support to its neighbors who experience poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness.
Michael Fischer, president and CEO of Client 1st Financial, has been appointed to serve as board president; Scarlett Spence, senior counsel at Battelle, is filling Fisher’s previous role as vice president; Jane Brooks, community affairs regional manager ofHighmark Blue Shield, is serving as treasurer; and Cathy Coyne, associate professor of practice atMoravian University, is continuing to serve as secretary.
Fischer, who has been a board member since 2017, was elevated from his previous position as the board’s vice president. Spence joined the board in 2018 and previously chaired the Development Committee. In addition to serving as treasurer, Brooks, who joined the board in 2020, is also the chair of the Finance Committee. Coyne has been involved with the board since 2017 and previously chaired the Nominating Committee.
“A strong and dedicated board is the cornerstone of any successful nonprofit organization, providing invaluable guidance, strategic insight, and unwavering support. With our revamped Executive Committee in place, I am confident that New Bethany is well-positioned to navigate the challenges ahead and continue advancing our mission with purpose and impact,” said Marc Rittle, executive director of New Bethany.
The 2024 Executive Committee announcement follows a remarkable year of growth for New Bethany. Since SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) were reduced in February 2023, the organization has seen a major increase in the number of people seeking access to food. On May 26, it served a record-high 151 lunches from the Southside Drop-in Center, which is an 80% increase over the same day in 2022. New Bethany’s Choice Food Pantry saw an over 90% increase in households seeking access to groceries in 2023.
Learn more about New Bethany and its mission by visiting www.newbethany.org.
