Inspiring Okeechobee: Local woman spreads 'Lasagna Love'

Posted 1/19/22

Nancy Bright is spreading something new — “Lasagna Love.”

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Inspiring Okeechobee: Local woman spreads 'Lasagna Love'

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OKEECHOBEE — Spreading love and kindness is a goal for many, especially at this time of year,  but Nancy Bright is spreading something new — “Lasagna Love.”

Bright, who lives in Treasure Island, enjoys helping her community and loves making lasagna, so when she heard about the non-profit, Lasagna Love, she knew it was the perfect fit for her.

Lasagna Love was established in 2020 when founder Rhiannon Menn, of California, took a look around her during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and realized there were families out there struggling with income or job loss, food insecurity and general fear and loneliness. Realizing that what many needed was kindness and comfort, she and her daughter began making extra meals and delivering them to neighbors. She felt this would let them know someone cared and was looking out for them.

According to Menn, the mission of Lasagna Love is to feed families, spread kindness and strengthen communities.

Every week, volunteers make and deliver, completely free of charge, a pan of lasagna to the doorstep of families who request them. There is no form to fill out, no qualifications to meet. Anyone who requests a lasagna receives it. This was important to Menn, who said, “I’m delighted as we strive to transform into a world in which asking for help is not just ok, it’s encouraged, because we know that helping each other strengthens our communities. I see all of our local leaders across the country reaching out to their neighbors week after week saying it doesn’t matter why. If you need to raise your hand, we’re here for you! I’m watching as we get messages from families who were afraid, embarrassed, or ashamed to ask for help, but Lasagna Love made it feel like they could. I read these messages, and it tells me we’re having an impact that’s longer lasting than feeding a family for an evening.”

Menn shared a story of one volunteer, who agreed to bring lasagna to a family in her community. As she arrived at the home, she wondered why in the world someone who lived in such a nice neighborhood would ask for a lasagna. When she talked to them, she found out they had a child fighting cancer, and the family was barely holding on.

According to their fact sheet, Lasagna Love:
• Delivers an average of 2,500 to 3,500 pans of lasagna each week.
• Has impacted more than 500,000 lives.
• Has delivered more than 105,000 meals.

• Has more than 200,000 volunteers from all walks of life.

If you are interested in getting involved in Lasagna Love, you can reach them on their website, Lasagnalove.org. They can also be found on Facebook.

To sign up for a lasagna delivery,go to the website, and click on the “request’ tab at the top of the page.

“Nothing makes you feel better than making someone smile with the food deliveries,” said Bright.

Lasagna Love, Inspiring Okeechobee

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