CLARKSVILLE, TN. (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A lot of new and different ways of doing things have come out of the pandemic, and one of the tastier is Lasagna Love.
Local regional leader of the nonprofit organization Kara Key said the idea was born in California with a mom who was looking for a way to help other people with homemade lasagna, and it soon grew into a national movement.
She decided to make extra lasagna meals and deliver them contactless to her neighbors and other families who were struggling financially, emotionally or just feeling overwhelmed.
Key works with around 40 other volunteers in her region, stretching from Clarksville to Springfield and Pleasant View in Tennessee to Hopkinsville and Cadiz in Kentucky.
“A recipient will go to our website, lasagnalove.org, and fill out a request form with some information for us. We actually have a database that houses those requests that allows us to match families that request lasagnas with our volunteers,” Key said.
Key added there are no requirements, no judgments – they just fill out the form saying they are raising their hand and they need help, and we help.
When asked about lasagna as the food of choice, Key said it is a great comfort food that is easy to make and for a family to share. It’s also easy to freeze and to reheat for leftovers and multiple meals.
Key said Lasagna Love is always looking for what they call “lasagna chefs” as volunteers, especially in the Clarksville area. If you want to help by cooking up some lasagna and donating it for a good cause, there is a signup button on their website.
If someone wants to help but can’t cook, or doesn’t have time to cook, Key said they can help in other ways by donating to their cash app $clarksvilleLL. Key noted that cash donations not tax deductible.
Supporters can also donate supplies directly from the Lasagna Love Amazon wish list.
Lasagna Love is a nonprofit and Key said everything the volunteers spend to make and deliver meals comes out of their own pockets. All donations are distributed to volunteers and used to purchase ingredients and supplies to make even more Lasagna Love and help more families.
To volunteer, make a donation, or learn more about Lasagna Love Clarksville, go to lasagnalove.org or email lasagnaloveclarksville@gmail.com.