ocal Matters is a private non-profit organization dedicated to creating healthier communities through food education, access, and advocacy. It addresses food insecurity by providing cooking & nutrition classes, operating the Veggie Van for fresh produce, and managing Columbus Food Rescue to reduce food waste. Since its founding in 2008, it has reached over 180,000 people with its services. Nonprofit funding is always difficult to predict, and the first quarter of 2026 has been especially difficult on that front. Local Matters is in a uniquely challenging position after the loss of several funding sources, and it’s dealing with a gap in funding that threatens its ability to keep the doors open. It needs help to bridge that gap to ensure that its work doesn’t come to an end.