Kirsten Glaser, newly relocated to East Cobb, jumped into help feed families impacted by COVID soon after moving here in the summer, and now heads the “Lasagna Love” program in Georgia.
It’s a nationwide effort of volunteers who prepare home-cooked meals not just for those medically and financially rocked by the pandemic, but also for health care workers, first responders and teachers. She explains how she got cooking for this cause and how you can get involved or order a meal if you need one:
“My husband and I moved to East Cobb in June from New York. We’re both young, active business professionals that thrive on social interaction. Moving to a new state and starting a new job during a pandemic halted our ability to quickly make new friends and even meet our new colleagues.
“It didn’t seem to matter how many Netflix shows we watched, banana breads I baked, or long walks we’d take with our dog, I still felt bored and most importantly, not connected to our new community.
“On September 28, I saw a story on The Today Show which struck a chord with me immediately. Lasagna Love is a movement started by Rhiannon Menn in May. She, too, was searching for some way to help those around her. Her lone effort of making lasagnas for her neighbors in need has now become a full blown movement in 47 states with 3,000 volunteers and over 6,000 families served as of today.
“I knew that this was what not only I needed but a way I could immerse myself into my new community, so I signed up to become a Lasagna Mama. I quickly received a response that I was the first in my area and was asked if I wanted to be the Regional Leader. Not knowing what this meant, I accepted the task.
“Each week, we receive requests from families who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19; this might be financial, medical or emotional. We are now reaching out to healthcare professionals, first responders and teachers who are under greater stress than ever because of the pandemic.
“I match our Lasagna Mamas and Papas (volunteers) to these families to receive a home-cooked meal. Some Mamas and Papas make just lasagna and some provide other entrees and full meals. Each of us does what we can without judgment.
“I now co-lead Lasagna Love for the entire state of Georgia and we currently have over 100 active volunteers! Each week I spend many hours matching mamas and papas to families as well as cooking lasagnas and delivering in addition to my full-time job. And I’ve never felt more fulfilled. This has given me an opportunity to connect with my neighbors, make new friendships with the Lasagna Mamas, as well as help those in our community in need.
“With the upcoming holiday season, Lasagna Love hopes to ease some stress and bring some joy to the families that are served as well as to the army of volunteers.
“For more info visit: lasagnalove.org. You can sign up to become a Lasagna Mama or Papa or request/nominate a meal.”
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