Impact and Programs
Accomplishments
In 2018, MATTER's programs impacted over 3.5 million people in 29 countries via the organization's healthy food, hospital & clinic, agricultural, and educational programs. This includes 213,230 children and families who received healthy food and nutrition education via the MATTERbox program, 7,871 volunteers who participated in various MATTER events and activities, and countless community partners. Together, we eliminated barriers to health and gave millions of people a chance to live a healthier life.
Current Goals
Challenge 1: At least half the world’s population is unable to access essential health services.
MATTER is taking on this challenge by providing hospitals around the world with the equipment and supplies they need to care for the sick and injured with dignity. MATTER is also creating resilient and diversified farms and nutrition gardens to provide sustainable food solutions for hospitals and surrounding communities.
Challenge 2: Today’s kids may be the first generation to be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents because of the increasing rates of obesity due to unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity.
MATTER is meeting this challenge by inspiring the next generation to think differently about food. In collaboration with our community partners, we are implementing national programs to inspire and demonstrate healthy eating for children and families. Through sports camps and athletic activities, we are helping children understand the important connection between nutrition and performance.
Challenge 3: Many of today’s education systems are not designed to teach the problem solving, critical thinking, and continuous learning skills that will allow kids to compete in a technologically driven world.
MATTER is tackling this challenge through the MATTER Innovation Hub. The Hub fosters creativity, critical thinking, and individualized education on a mass scale to some of the more disadvantaged youth in the world, giving them the chance to compete in tomorrow’s world and opening doors of opportunity that will allow them to make healthier choices throughout their lives.
A related blog post can be found at https://www.matter.ngo/big-challenges/
Community or Constituency Served
We serve food-insecure individuals and communities in the 7-county Twin Cities metro area and expand access to health to individuals and families in 30+ countries. Recognizing the increasing need for nutritional education and wellness, we also provide access to health for people struggling with obesity and subsequent heart disease in the U.S., expectant mothers and their children abroad, farmers and communities in rural areas of Africa; and children in schools.
Geographic Area Served
MATTER expands access to health locally in the 7-county Twin Cities metro area and internationally in 30+ (predominantly developing) countries.
