LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Spreading love one lasagna at a time. You heard that right. 13 Action News anchor Tricia Kean shows how a group is providing help during the pandemic layer by layer.
"For me I think cooking is a way of showing love," says Rhiannon Menn with Lasagna Love.
A MEAL WOULD BE HELPFUL
She says she was looking for a way to help neighbors at the start of the pandemic. So she decided to post an online offer to make dinner for a family in need.
"We got a bunch of people replying saying, oh my gosh a meal would be so helpful right now. We also got a lot of people saying, oh my gosh making a meal would be so helpful right now. Because I don't know what to do for the people in my community," says Rhiannon.
WORKING WITH FOOD BANKS & NONPROFITS
The idea quickly cooked up into a national movement, now known as Lasagna Love. The mission: to provide a simple act of kindness in a time of uncertainty.
"We have volunteer leaders and a number of communities who are posting to local Facebook groups, who are working with local food banks or other nonprofits or school districts that have social workers you know who the families are that might need a little extra love right now," says Rhiannon.
DOESN'T TAKE MUCH EFFORT
Naomi Daniel is helping families here in Las Vegas.
"It doesn't take much effort. I'm going to be cooking a meal anyway. So if I can make a meal for someone else who might need it, just to help ease their stress or burden for one night, then why not?" says Naomi.
I STARTED CRYING
Naomi says it's been a rewarding effort since her very first delivery to a valley family.
"I just started crying on the way home. Then when I got here, I was talking with my friend. I'm like, we got to do this again," says Naomi.
Volunteers can sign up to cook or sponsor a meal. The group also provides FDA food safety guidelines for preparing your lasagna.
MAKE ONE MEAL
"Counters sanitized. Everything has to be clean. New pan. New everything. I always have my hair back," says Naomi.
But Naomi and Rhiannon say the work is worth it.
"I would recommend it to anybody and everyone," says Naomi.
"Try it. Make one meal, deliver one meal and see how you feel. Everybody who's done it so far is hooked," says Rhiannon.
