Wednesday, September 8, 2010 01:57 PM

BY RITA PRICE – The Columbus Dispatch

While the recession continues to pummel charities nationwide, local groups appear to be struggling more than most.According to a report released today by the Columbus Foundation, about 42 percent of local charities surveyed cut their budgets this year, compared with 29 percent nationwide.

More than three-quarters — 77 percent — of the central Ohio nonprofit organizations are freezing or reducing salaries, while about 50 percent in a recent national survey reported similar measures.

Central Ohio respondents also were likely to cite different reasons for their financial straits. Nationally, individual giving was by far the top reason, with changes in donations from corporate and private foundations next.

Here, corporate and corporate foundation giving was cited as the biggest change, with individual donations next.

Check out the full article.

Fudha has been featured in the Small Pond section of Outlook Columbus!

Check it out here!

We’ve hit over $1000 for the Foodbank in our first month. Remember, every $1 donated to the Foodbank provides TWO meals to families in our community that need it most!

Thanks to everyone for their support, and to the great restaurants for participating! More to come! w00t!

Our great friends at Mukha Spa have joined our fight against hunger with an amazing offer!

Between now and April 15th, bring in 3 canned goods and receive $15 OFF any service! All of these donations will directly benefit the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

So, get that eyebrow intervention you really need, enjoy a mani-pedi, get a relaxing massage or facial.

Take care of yourself and while you’re doing it help out the families in our community that need it most!

Click here to read the story. Or check out the video below!

So we’ve finallly managed to get this little idea of ours rolling along for almost a week, and the response has been totally surreal and amazing. Jed and I are just super excited at all of the support and interest from both the restaurant community and our friends (or–if we don’t know you–soon-to-be friends).

Instead of the stress increasing, this process just gets more fun as we continue to add the best restaurants (we think!) in the city, and we find so many kindred spirits who want to support locally-owned restaurants and help the families who need it most in our community.

This is really what it’s all about and why we started this. We’re thrilled. We’re overwhelmed. We’re excited. and We heart Columbus for helping us realize our vision.

Thanks.

Want FREE Fudha?!

Every day, Monday – Friday in March, one lucky member will have the chance to win the Fudha of the day for FREE!

To enter, BECOME OUR FAN on Facebook, and write what you love about the featured restaurant of the day on OUR wall. Then tell your friends to “comment” or “like” your wall post.

Whoever has the most comments/likes at the end of each day (at Midnight) will have a FREE Fudha added to their account! (Which you can then print out from the “Purchases” tab on the “My Account” page).

And if you haven’t signed up yet, SIGN UP NOW, because you can’t get the FREE Fudha if you’re not a member and you don’t want to miss out!

Remember: Whoever has the most “likes” and “comments” from their friends on our wall WINS!

We had an awesome launch party, a lot of friends and supporters showed up, and we raised $356 for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank today! Thanks to everyone who had brunch with us, and thanks again to Barrio for the fantastic mimosas and food.

Also, congrats to our Gift Certificate Winners! We’re in the midst of contacting you, and will mail them ASAP!

Ashley S., Paige B., Maureen T., Leo R., and Roger F.

Remember, we go live at noon tomorrow, and the deals are limited, so come early to make sure you can get one!