Volunteer of the Month: Kathy Hannas | January 2025
Each month Hunger Task Force is honored to recognize an individual or organization that goes above and beyond in their service to the organization.
Hunger Task Force relies on the help of more than 16,000 generous volunteers every year. From food sorting and building healthy food boxes for seniors to helping individuals shop the Mobile Market and harvesting at The Farm, volunteers help Hunger Task Force feed people today and support our work in ending future hunger.
Kathy has been a dedicated supporter of our mission, coordinating volunteer opportunities for her fellow Kohl’s employees and leading her team to an incredible achievement: packing an all-time record of 1,200 Stockboxes during a single shift. Her passion for helping others, coupled with her competitive drive, inspires all who work alongside her. We are proud to honor Kathy as our Volunteer of the Month!
When did you start volunteering with Hunger Task Force?
Kathy: The first time I volunteered with Hunger Task Force was over 10 years ago. About three years ago, I decided to get more involved with more consistent volunteering.
What volunteer activities do you help with?
Kathy: I primarily focus on packing Stockboxes because I love the energy and teamwork involved in assembling those boxes for seniors. However, I’ve also participated in sorting food.
What’s your favorite part about volunteering?
Kathy: For me, volunteering is the perfect combination of social interaction and supporting meaningful causes. I love gathering my co-workers to support different charities, especially ones that align with my passion for helping children, seniors and other vulnerable groups. I also have a competitive streak, so I’ve made it a personal challenge to keep improving our Stockbox assembly process. It’s all about finding ways to work faster while maintaining accuracy and quality.
What made you want to volunteer?
Kathy: As a volunteer champion at Kohl’s, one of my roles is to inspire and encourage my colleagues to get involved with organizations they care about. Kohl’s is fantastic about providing time and resources for employees to give back, including monetary support for the causes we champion. Hunger Task Force has always been one of my favorite organizations, so I’ve made it a point to recruit as many people as possible to join me in volunteering.
Why did you/do you continue to pick Hunger Task Force?
Kathy: I really believe in the mission of Hunger Task Force. In a society where so many of us have an abundance, no one should have to go hungry. What I also love about Hunger Task Force is the educational component. It’s not just about providing food—it’s about teaching people how to prepare nutritious meals.
What’s been your most memorable experience volunteering?
Kathy: Last year, when my team set the record of 1,000 Stockboxes packed in three hours, it was such an incredible feeling. Everyone worked so hard, and the sense of accomplishment was unmatched. This year, we decided to push ourselves even further, and we broke the record again by packing 1,200 Stockboxes in under three hours! To put that into perspective, our typical three-hour shift usually results in packing under 600 boxes.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering at Hunger Task Force?
Kathy: I’d say, come and join us! While you’ll often see groups from companies like Kohls, there are also plenty of individual opportunities available, so everyone can find a way to contribute.
For more information on how you can get involved, visit: www.HungerTaskForce.org/volunteer
Meet our Volunteers of the Month!
Click below to discover the people making a difference in the fight against hunger – new volunteers added each month! Keep checking back to meet more incredible volunteers helping end hunger in Milwaukee.