Twenty-five volunteers from Apple Valley Chamber CORE Women came together for their second annual “Cooking with a Cause” event, preparing 76 homemade lasagnas for local families through Lasagna Love. With support from community partners, generous sponsors, and local businesses, the event demonstrated what can happen when neighbors come together around a shared purpose: feeding families and strengthening their community.
The event was made possible with the support of Ryan and Jen McGunnigle, owners of Las Tortillas in Rosemount. The McGunnigles opened their meeting events area, spending hours preparing ingredients and setting up an efficient assembly line for the volunteers, organizers said.
US Foods surprised the group by donating all the ingredients just days before the event. CORE Women committee members had been working to gather food sponsors and receive donations from the volunteers to cover the costs. Thanks to US Foods, the collected donations were directly sent to Lasagna Love.
In the upcoming weeks, these lasagnas will be delivered to families in need across the Twin Cities area through Lasagna Love. FLasagna Love is a global nonprofit connecting neighbors through homemade meals. Volunteers across the United States, Australia, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom prepare and deliver homemade lasagnas to families experiencing all kinds of life’s challenges. Every meal is made with care, delivered with dignity, and offered with no judgment. Lasagna Love has expanded to three countries and has served over 2 million individuals. Those who know a family in need of a home-cooked meal can nominate a family by visiting www.lasagnalove.com.
He also thanked US Foods, Peggy Johnson of Dakota Electric and Team Tasha Wells Keller Williams “for sponsoring. Your collective culinary skills under the generosity and direction/prep of Las Tortillas owners Ryan and Jen is filling more than hunger,” Kearney said. “Every dish fills a heart and is a reminder of how our community is filled with generous volunteers like all of you who donated your time and dollars. All present made a huge difference by caring so deeply for others. Amazing success!”
– Charity Weibel, Apple Valley Chamber CORE Women’s chair