Extra Table names Rhonda Hayden as next director of development

(The following is a press release from Extra Table.)

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi: The Pinebelt Foundation and Extra Table are proud to jointly announce Rhonda Hayden will be taking a new position with Extra Table as the Director of Development starting June 8.

Hayden has been an integral part of the Pinebelt Foundation since March 2018 serving as the Development Director. She has a proven track record developing support for community programs and for curating fundraising events.

“Rhonda is extremely bright, well-respected, and a logistical thinker. Extra Table is thrilled Rhonda will be taking on a new role and a new set of challenges that will keep her in Hattiesburg but will allow her to use her talents to fight food insecurity on a state level,” noted Martha Allen, Executive Director of Extra Table.

The Pinebelt Foundation and Extra Table have a long history of doing good work together. Mike Dixon, the current Executive Director of the Pinebelt Foundation, was the Executive Director of Extra Table from 2014-2017, prior to Allen. During this time, the Pinebelt Foundation managed several funds for Extra Table and put much effort into growing the Extra Table footprint. The two organizations have shared board members, missions, and money over the years in order to make the Pinebelt a better place to call home.

“While we will undoubtedly miss her expertise and relentless work on our behalf, we know that her work with Extra Table will only further the mission we all hold in common,” stated Mike Dixon, Executive Director of the Pinebelt Foundation. “We know she will bring the same energy and passion to Extra Table’s feeding programs as she brought to the Pinebelt Foundation and that is good news for countless families.”

Dixon states that he is personally grateful for the opportunities Extra Table gave him to make a difference in the community and he is excited to see the good work Rhonda will do for Extra Table.

Hayden has a Bachelor of Science in Sports Fitness Management from the University of Alabama and a Master of Science in exercise physiology from The University of Alabama. Hayden has served as an event fundraiser for Sacred Heart Catholic School and the Pinebelt Foundation. She has achieved national and local recognition for events organized for the Pinebelt Foundation. Her most recent recognition was with the Hattiesburg Half Marathon as the 2020 Pinnacle Event Award from the Sales & Marketing Professionals of the Pine Belt (SMP). Hayden is a former adjunct faculty member of the University of Southern Mississippi and philanthropy chairman for the University of Alabama chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

To learn more about the efficient and effective way Extra Table works to feed people throughout Mississippi, visit www.ExtraTable.org or call 601-264-0672. Extra Table is always looking to grow and increase their abilities to feed more people. Supportive donors are needed to ensure nourishing meals and continued growth, visit www.ExtraTable.org/donate to become a partner in the fight against hunger.