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Hajdu hopes to make an impact `in her own backyard' by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff 13 | Friday, April 24, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Food for Life's new executive director Brenda Hajdu says she sees the organization as a critical and integral service in the community, and a hub on which many rely. The agency redistributes fresh, nutritious food to those in need in Halton and beyond. "So many other charities and not-for-profits rely on our organization to provide them with food they wouldn't otherwise have access to, so it's important," said Hajdu. "It's all really about feeding those in need and food is essential. So many different aspects of life revolve around food, health, well-being. There are social aspects to food that are also very important. Ensuring people have a sense of belonging, knowing they can go somewhere with dignity to access food is important." The former Oakville resident, who now lives in Stoney Creek, officially took the helm of Food for Life in February, replacing Chris Roberts who'd left the role in October 2014. Hajdu was looking for her next venture when she discovered Food for Life needed a new executive director. She held a similar position with a national charity for five years and said it was time for change. "I wanted to run another charity and I wanted it to be locally-based, regionally-based. I wanted it to impact my own backyard, so to speak," said Hajdu. "I was highly impressed with the results and impact of the organization, but I was also surprised by the need and demand for the service. Because of that, it represented a really good challenge for me both personally and professionally." Last year, Food for Life delivered 2.1 million pounds of food to more than 89 community programs and agencies -- equivalent to diverting 235 full garbage trucks of food from the landfill, according to the organization. It feeds more than 26,000 people every month, with the demand growing at a rate faster than Food for Life can supply. Food for Life is based on corporate citizenship and volunteers, according to Hajdu, who called the latter the "life-blood" of the organization. "If it weren't for the hundreds of volunteers that help us to feed the hungry, we wouldn't be able to do what we do," she said. "In addition to that, we have these wonderful corporate food donors and sponsors that really provide a large volume of food to us at no cost. And we redistribute that. This food -- all highquality and not past its due date -- would have otherwise gone to the landfill." Hajdu added it is currently her focus to enlist more volunteers, collect more food and garner more funds for Food for Life. For more information, visit www.foodforlife. ca, email volunteer@foodforlife.ca or call 905510-5724. Christine Richard proudly serving the Oakville community Brenda Hajdu | submitted photo Christine is always here at your time of need or when planning ahead. According to statistics from the food charity, it has seen a 20 per cent increase in client visits over the past year. "It's staggering," said Hajdu. "Almost 40 per cent of those (who Food for Life helps) are children." Food for Life also assists seniors on fixed incomes, single parents and those just having a difficult time making ends meet. Hajdu says her previous roles as executive director of a national charity and marketing director for numerous companies provide a good combination of skills to apply to this job. "One of the opportunities I see for Food for Life is general awareness could be improved and I really want the community to know of the demand," she said. "I want the community to know there is a high percentage of hunger in the region and I want to be able to raise the profile of the organization. It's a bit of an invisible organization -- you don't know about us until you need us." Hajdu says for Food for Life to meet its growing demand, it needs to increase its public profile and awareness. Get started today! Call Christine Richard for your FREE Planning Kit! 905-842-2252 Look for us on Facebook Visit www.oakviewfuneral.ca for a virtual tour of our funeral home. by Arbor Memorial 56 Lakeshore Road, W., Oakville Arbor Memorial Inc. Oakview Funeral Home Family Owned. Proudly Canadian. DIAMOND DIAMOND GOLD BAEU LER APPRO ED Great minds don't think alike. Elementary school teachers are typically responsible for the full curriculum. We don't think that makes sense. After all, when did you last meet a math whiz that excelled at languages? So our teachers only teach topics they're the subject experts in. Exposing students to the brightest minds in each field of study. Book your tour today. fernhillschool.com