Hilary Duff helps serve lunch

Hilary Duff is used to people waiting to get her autograph, but yesterday morning they got in line for a helping of coleslaw from the popular singer and actress.

Duff, former star of the TV series Lizzie Maguire, was in Edmonton for last night's concert at Rexall Place. She popped by the downtown Hope Mission earlier in the day to volunteer as a server in the lunch line.

While a few of the homeless men at the shelter wondered who Duff was, most were glad to see her don a Hope Mission apron and kitchen hat.

"There should be more celebrities working here - Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie. Just not Britney Spears," joked Andy Jefferson, 23, who has been staying at the shelter since earlier this week.
He added that a stint with a homeless organization would be good for actress Lindsay Lohan, who has been mired in legal troubles in recent weeks. "She should be here - community service," said Jefferson.

For Brad Podarumok, 46, Duff is "just another celebrity." But, he said:
"I appreciate what she does for the homeless. I would have liked to get an autograph for my daughter but I didn't ask."

Yesterday's stop at the Hope Mission was the latest example of Duff's charity work, which includes a three-year partnership with Alberta Harvest. At her concerts, Duff asks fans to bring in donations for the agency, which collects food for the homeless.

"We've had such a huge response and gotten to feed so many people, especially in Canada. It's nice to see that people want to help." said Duff.

Calling homelessness and hunger "such an easy problem that can be fixed," she added: "If people were just a little more compassionate and caring and gave their time, it doesn't take a lot of money."

Besides serving up lunch, Duff, who is particularly popular with young girls, also met with a few lucky fans whose parents work at the mission.

For 11-year-old Janae Kowalchuk, meeting Duff was her "life dream." She has read Duff's book and has her CD, and while she wasn't going to last night's concert, she said the singer and actress is her role model. "Unlike some other singers, she's just subtle and doesn't drink or do drugs," said Janae.

Hope Mission community relations officer Janelle Aker said having Duff at the shelter should help the agency reach out to kids like Janae.

"It's awesome because it brings awareness to a whole new market of kids who love her and might not have heard of our work before," she said.

For Hope Mission resident Peter Gilchrist, however, Duff's presence will do little to fix homelessness. While he was happy to see her there, he called Duff "just a pretty face." But, he said, "it kind of cheers you up."

Besides yesterday's concert and stint at the shelter, Duff has another Edmonton connection: former Oiler Mike Comrie, whom she has been dating. She turned speechless, though, at questions about him.

When Hope Mission resident Wade Kosinski asked her if she shops at the Brick, which was founded by Comrie's father Bill, the star wouldn't answer, he said.