March 3, 2026
"Do something today that your future self will thank you for." –Sean Patrick Flanery
Keep Food Out of the Landfill!
Written by Vilvi Vannak
Food Rescue US
As hunger impacts our community, the folks at Food Rescue US are taking action! Food Rescue US is a national organization with 51 locations in 24 states & the District of Columbia, including one right here in Columbus, Ohio.
The premise is simple: some businesses have extra food they can’t use before it spoils. Food Rescue US has a network of volunteers to pick up the food and deliver it to social services agencies that provide it to those in need.
Become a Food Rescuer
There are 32,000 volunteer food rescuers nationwide. They use a web-based app to transfer fresh food surpluses from local businesses to social service agencies serving the food insecure. The app guides volunteers to available rescues by day, time, or location. Once people sign up, they get instructions on where to pick up the food and where to deliver it, along with any other details they need to complete the rescue. Become a Food Rescuer!
One central Ohio volunteer, Matthew King, has been doing it for 2 years. He does 10 food rescues a week and is motivated by his environmental passion and his drive to feed people in need. “I like a lot of things about it,” says Matthew, “one is that I adopted all of my rescues, meaning the restaurant employees see only me each week. I also like that the program keeps track of the pounds of food we save, and water, plus the carbon dioxide emissions we offset.”
Matthew King. Photo courtesy
of Matthew King
“This is super easy for newbies and older folk,” explains Matthew. “First of all, the person picks which organization to go to, they are not assigned one. When they’re just getting started, they could choose one rescue a week if they wanted, so they can ease into it. The app is very user-friendly; it even lists what size vehicle you need for the size of the donation. And if something comes up and you have to take off, no problem–there’s dozens of other people that can fill in for you.”
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Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story
Simply Living will present the award-winning documentary film Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story on Sunday, March 8th at 1:45 pm, at the Columbus Public Library's Hilltop Branch, 511 South Hague Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204. The Hilltop Branch is a beautiful facility that opened in 2021! A discussion about the film and about food & social issues generally will follow the showing. There is no admission fee or suggested donation, but registration is requested so we know how many to expect. Please Register soon!
Planetary: Reconnect to Something Bigger
Simply Living will present the outstanding documentary film Planetary: Reconnect to Something Bigger on Saturday, April 11th at 1:45 pm, at the Columbus Public Library's Hilltop Branch, 511 South Hague Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204. A discussion about the film and about planetary issues generally will follow the showing! There is no admission fee or suggested donation, but registration is requested so we know how many to expect. Please Register soon!
Tour of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank
Written by Lenn Black
Members of Simply Living were pleased to be included in a tour of the Mid-Ohio Foodbank held for the central Ohio community on Saturday, February 28. After arriving & enjoying some tasty (and healthy) treats, the group divided into three and the tour began.
The Mid-Ohio Foodbank & the Mid-Ohio Food Collective
The Mid-Ohio Foodbank is a part of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC) which, in addition to the Foodbank, consists of more than 600 partners (about half of which are area Food Pantries) serving more than half a million people each year across 20 counties in central and eastern Ohio.
MOFC Service Area. Photo
by Lenn Black
The Mid-Ohio Kitchen
Our first stop was the Mid-Ohio Kitchen, which can prepare up to 10,000 meals per week. The kitchen is a bit busy preparing all those meals, according to our tour guide, Sam Grimsley, MOFC’s Annual Giving Manager. MOFC’s Eastland Prosperity Center (4485 Refugee Road), coming soon to central Ohio, will have a larger kitchen to replace or supplement the kitchen at the Foodbank.
Tour Guide Sam Grimsley.
Photo by Lenn Black
Food Pickup Area
Next, we saw the Food Pickup Area, where vehicles from area Food Pantries back up to one of five bays to make withdrawals from the Foodbank (i.e., pick up pallets of food to take back to their pantries).
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Simply Living Accepting Applications for Board of Directors
Joining Simply Living’s Board of Directors is an opportunity to help shape a more sustainable, connected Central Ohio. As a board member, you’ll collaborate with a passionate community of trailblazers, support innovative programs, and help guide the organization’s long-term vision. If you believe in empowering people to live simply, sustainably, and with purpose, we’d be honored to have your leadership at the table. If you are interested in applying to be on the Board of Directors, send an email to Lenn Black.
Become a Member, Volunteer with Us, or Donate today to support Simply Living’s mission.
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