Julia Child said “Food is the most primitive form of comfort.” The nonprofit Lasagna Love is sharing love and comfort with homemade lasagna meals, all over the USA, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom (UK) by feeding people in need with layers of noodles, cheese and sauce. Executive Director Andria Larson graciously shared some of her time and Lasagna Love positivity to talk about this remarkable organization.
“Our mission is to feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. Through our neighbor-to-neighbor movement, we connect volunteer lasagna chefs who want to help individuals and families in need,providing home-cooked lasagnas made with love.” Lasagna Love
Lasagna Love began during COVID where Rhiannon Menn, founder and President of the board, was looking for a way to help others in need. A delicious gooey lasagna came to mind that could feed a hungry belly and bring love to a soul. The first pan of lasagna love was cooked and delivered. Soon other people were wanting to help and Lasagna Love was born. By removing barriers and red tape, this power of radical kindness to support another person in your own community gives people a way to pay it forward in a way that makes sense for them. Lasagna Love receives requests every three minutes every day for a meal with about 4500 requests every week. A weekly average of 2500- 3000 lasagna meals are being delivered in a contactless delivery where neighbors are helping to feed neighbors in a respectful and dignified manner. Food insecurity is on the rise and the need is great. The caring and compassion of over 80,000 volunteers and growing is providing a comforting meal to a hungry person or family. Lasagna Love is also creating the network effect where this one act of kindness is inspiring more and more acts of kindness. A survey completed 891 people who had received a pan of lasagna reported that 97.7% were inspired to pay it forward after receiving their Lasagna Love meal.
“My lasagna arrived on a day between months of waiting. Waiting for a job to come through, money to come in, and hope to be delivered. The lasagna was like a hug I desperately needed.” A Lasagna Love recipient
This is how Lasagna Love works. If you or anyone you know is in need of a meal the request form is filled out to begin the process. Volunteers are the substance of this organization. They pay for the ingredients, make the pan of lasagna and deliver it. Amazing volunteers live in each community where Lasagna Love meals are feeding individuals and families. Neighbors are helping neighbors because everyone needs a little help sometimes. For anyone interested in volunteering, where your act of kindness can change a life, the website has all the information needed to sign up. A successful “fractional volunteer leadership model” streamlines operating expenses so the small core of robust and passionate staff can focus on communications, marketing, fundraising partnerships and other vital needs. Since 2020 Lasagna Love has made a significant impact. Over 500,000 lasagnas have been delivered to families and more than two million individuals. The 80,000 and growing volunteers shop, cook and deliver have spread lasagna kindness in their communities. creating ongoing ripples of more kindness and four countries are part of spreading a whole lot of Lasagna Love. Dr. David R. Hamilton states there is a “3-degree ripple rule” of one person’s act of kindness and that one act of kindness will impact 16 people. This means that Lasagna Love’s network effect of kindness has positively impacted around 41,280,000 people.
“What we do is simple: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. Our mission is not only to help address the incredible rise in food insecurity among families but also to provide a simple act of love and kindness during a time full of uncertainty, stress, and loneliness.” Lasagna Love
This passionate organization is just getting started. There are now “lasagna chefs” who are local leaders in communities overseeing the matching of volunteers and requested lasagna meals, along with state directors who help facilitate the process. Volunteers are supported during the onboarding process along with experiencing the joy of giving back while strengthening their community. When some Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) students reached out and wanted to do something to help Lasagna Love, the students used their skills to build an unique algorithm for the matching process. Girl Scouts can receive a “Patch” through participating in Lasagna Love. Each day Lasagna Love hopes to feed one more individual or family than the day before. Each lasagna made has its own distinctive story and flavor from the person who made it to the person who enjoyed this delicious nourishment. All parts of this pan of lasagna are filled with radical kindness and generosity.
We are honored to shine the Kindness Champion Spotlight on the delectable and delightful Lasagna Love. Where the “focus on removing barriers to asking for help, ensuring dignity and support, is delivering kindness without judgement or qualifications. Whether someone who is facing financial challenges, emotionally overwhelmed, has medical issues or any other hardship” can receive a meal and love. We thank you for being and bringing your awesomeness to the world.
Here is their information or to support Lasagna Love:
Website: https://lasagnalove.org/
Instagram: @wearelasagnalove https://www.instagram.com/wearelasagnalove/
Facebook: @WeAreLasagnaLove https://www.facebook.com/WeAreLasagnaLove
LinkedIn: @LasagnaLove https://www.linkedin.com/company/lasagnalove/
TikTok: @LasagnaLove https://www.tiktok.com/@wearelasagnalove
YouTube: @LasagnaLove https://www.youtube.com/@wearelasagnalove
