Five years ago, Linda DiRuzza won tickets to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s annual fundraiser, Taste of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, through her employer, Diebold. With her husband unable to go, Linda decided she’d invite her father to be her date. Attending the event has become a family tradition; Linda and her sister purchase tickets each year as a Father’s Day gift.
“My dad doesn’t really need anything,” explained Linda. “He really enjoys this event; he’s 84 and he loves it!” Linda realizes the importance of giving her father the gift of time; spending quality time with his two daughters is more meaningful than a gift from any store.
Linda has been a long-time advocate of the Foodbank, years before her first Taste of the Pro Football Hall of Fame experience. She has generously supported the Foodbank and its hunger-relief efforts since 2003. She’s passionate about helping our community members struggling with hunger and other essential necessities.
“I’m blessed to have a good job, a roof over my head, and food on our table. I want to be able to share with those who are struggling to meet their basic needs. If the fundamental basics are not covered, nothing else matters.”
Most recently, Linda volunteered at the Foodbank’s 24-hour volunteer event, Operation Orange. The daytime slots for this popular event fill up quickly, so she had to sign up for an overnight shift. Though she didn’t have luck recruiting family or friends to come with her, Linda remained committed to her volunteer duties and spent two hours helping sort frozen meat and other donated product.
It’s because of supporters in our community like Linda, that your Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is able to help provide millions of meals to our community. Together, we can be the difference between hunger and hope.