Grassroots movement of kindness expresses love and appreciation to front line workers, veterans and the homeless
NATIONWIDE – Lasagna Love, a nationwide grassroots social impact movement, is extending its mission to spread kindness with several “cook and deliver” events in communities across America this Valentine’s Day weekend.
Initiated at the start of the pandemic by one mom looking for a way to support struggling community members during the pandemic, Lasagna Love is today powered by more than 18,000 volunteers across 50 U.S. states.
Lasagna Love Chefs, lovingly referred to as “lasagna mamas” and “lasagna papas,” are matched locally with recipients residing within their immediate communities. They prepare and deliver meals not only to dent food insecurity but to offer a form of relief to those contending with challenges, whether that be defined by job loss, pandemic fatigue or just general overwhelm.
Now 10 months old, Lasagna Love is averaging delivery of 4,000 meals a week over and above the planned events such as this weekend’s coordinated Valentine’s Day activations across the country which include:
- Illinois: Lasagna “Mamas and Papas” will be delivering individual lasagnas to 200 older adults at three different housing facilities in Zion.
- Massachusetts: Shrewsbury Fire Department will be visited by 20 Lasagna Mamas and Papas delivering much-deserved love in the form of lasagnas, salads and desserts. Lasagna’ Love’s Cape Cod and islands volunteers will prepare and deliver nearly 50 lasagnas as a part of its “Feed the Vets with Lasagna Love” activation.
- Rhode Island: Police officers and firefighters in North Kingstown, Narragansett and Warwick will receive 80 individual and 16 family-size lasagnas courtesy of more than 20 Rhode Island-based Lasagna Love volunteers.
- South Carolina: Fifteen Lasagna Mamas and Papas will spend the day making and delivering lasagnas to disabled and retired veterans in the Charleston area.
- Wisconsin: Working with The Beacon, a homeless day resource center serving Dane County, local Lasagna Mamas and Papas will deliver prepared meals to 125 homeless men and women in the area.“Most of us align Valentine’s Day with romantic love, but love can be displayed by reaching out to someone in a time of need,” said Lasagna Love founder Rhiannon Menn. “Kindness and love are the foundation of Lasagna Love, and while making and delivering meals is how we’re currently executing our mission, our intention to promote and spread kindness represents much more. It means we care about you…and we’re all in this together.”Lasagna Love Expands Beyond 1:1 Delivery
With its Valentine’s Day weekend mass-deliveries, Lasagna Love has continued its rapid evolution from an initial 1:1 neighbor-to-neighbor delivery platform to an organized effort of support for the most marginalized and under-serviced demographics in our communities. Earlier this month, for example, Lasagna Love’s army of affection in Virginia rallied together to deliver dozens of lasagnas to Second Story, an organization that provides a safe haven and opportunity to homeless youth, young mothers and teens in crisis, and distributed more than 100 lasagnas to Reston, VA-based Embry Rucker Shelter which also provides safe emergency housing.
Activations of large-scale donations are quickly becoming the norm as volunteers learn of massive need and Lasagna Love continues to grow its volunteer following. Under Menn’s leadership, the coordinated efforts of thousands of volunteers, has set in motion purpose-driven community impact. Volunteers are given the opportunity to participate as much or as little as they wish—be it a one-time delivery, or weekly matching. Many have been so fulfilled from the experience that they’ve broadened their involvement to manage territories and regions, establishing a leadership matrix within the all-volunteer organization. Social media posts have inspired both volunteer participation and local and national business donations.
Lasagna Love’s grassroots foundation, which sparked viral momentum from one mom’s social post offering a free meal to anyone that wanted one, continues to steadily expand. Menn has shared that both Puerto Rican and Canadian residents have reached out through social media with requests to grow Lasagna Love beyond America’s borders.
About Lasagna Love
Lasagna Love is a nationwide, grassroots community impact movement connecting neighbors with neighbors through homemade meal delivery. The all-volunteer run program abides by three simple principles: feed families, spread kindness and strengthen communities. Founded by a mom in support of moms, Lasagna Love has joined together volunteers across all 50 states in America and aims to supplant historic stereotypes related to requests for support. To learn more about Lasagna Love and how you can get involved, visit www.lasagnalove.org or our social channels, @WeAreLasagnaLove (Instagram and Facebook).
Media inquiries: Wendy Agudelo (978.994.1447; wendy@imageprofessors.com)