“Lasagna Mamas” Feeding Thousands of American Families Struggling Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic

In April, as the coronavirus pandemic raged, Rhiannon Menn found herself feeling helpless.

"There were so many moms that I knew who had lost childcare, who had lost jobs. They were just feeling stressed out,” the San Diego mom told Today. “And so literally one day, I was just like, I'm gonna make extra meals."

Before long, Menn's effort to comfort members of her community had grown into something much larger. Today, she’s at the helm of Lasagna Love, a national grassroots movement with nearly 1,500 volunteer "lasagna mamas" (and papas!) in 300 cities across 36 states. So far, these generous home cooks have helped feed more than 3,000 families.

Through Lasagna Love, anyone can sign up to either make a lasagna or receive one delivered right to their doorstep. Each lasagna even includes a kind note. It is, after all, not just about food.

“Lasagna Love exists to deliver comfort where we experience it most often—our family dining table—and prove that even small displays of kindness can have profound and lasting impact,” a statement from the organization explains. “Our authentic mission is not only to help address the rise in food insecurity among families, but to also provide a simple act of love and kindness during a time of uncertainty and stress. We accomplish this by creating an easy and accessible way for every person to help a neighbor in need in a way that is comfortable and meaningful for them.”

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With thousands of Americans out of work amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, there is no shortage of need for a free meal.

"Your actions don't have to be big to have a big impact. If making lasagna, it takes a few hours and delivering it takes maybe another hour," Menn told Today. "That's not a huge lift, but it has an amazing impact on one mom."

To join Lasagna Love, donate to the organization, or request a lasagna your family, visit LasagnaLove.org.