Kenosha Reporter

The Kenosha County Division of Children and Family Services held its annual "Feed 100 Families Food Drive" earlier this month. The event is a friendly competition among staff to collect food and cash donations, with a focus on creativity in presenting their collections.

Staff members decorated their office spaces with various themes, organized sketches and games, and offered holiday treats to impress the contest judges. County Executive Samantha Kerkman, who judged the event alongside Human Services Director John Jansen, praised the staff's efforts. "Once again, the DCFS teams outdid themselves with their creativity and their generosity," said Kerkman. "These staff members work year-round to serve children and families, and then they go above and beyond in helping to put food on the table for those in need."

This year's Most Generous trophy was awarded to the Child Protective Services Unit. They reached out to community organizations and individuals to enhance their donation total. The Ongoing Services Unit won the Most Creative award with a unique take on the “Supermarket Sweep” game show. This involved sending Kerkman, Jansen, and Assistant Human Services Director Rebecca Dutter through office cubicles racing to fill toy shopping carts with valuable grocery items. This team also donated $1,500 in cash and gift cards along with many food items.

Other participating groups included the Prevention Services Network, Youth Justice/Clerical Unit, and DCFS management team. According to Gang Intervention Supervisor Donna Rhodes, who has long coordinated the event, all food items were purchased by staff during non-working hours as part of a volunteer effort.

"The staff absolutely love to be able to use their creativity, to compete against one another, and to give back to the community," Rhodes stated.