Representatives of Lasagna Love, a national volunteer nonprofit that connects volunteer cooks with neighbors in need, presented to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 7 and described how residents can request meals and how local partners distribute food.

Karen Kramm, state manager (title given in meeting), and a local volunteer described the group's origin in March 2020 and rapid national growth. They reported over 80,000 volunteers and more than 530,000 lasagnas delivered (figures stated at the meeting). The Loudoun volunteer said county partners include the Salvation Army, Mobile Hope, One Hope Ministries and local fire departments; Lasagna Love described working with shelter kitchens to portion lasagnas for community distribution.

How to request: volunteers said residents request meals at lasagnalove.org and complete a request form; families may request one lasagna delivery every 30 days to help spread resources across households. Organizers said volunteers make lasagnas to requestors' dietary preferences and follow a release/waiver process described on the organization's website.

Why it matters: speakers said Lasagna Love can help households facing short-term food needs — for example, residents affected by federal furloughs — and requested that board members and staff share the organization's contact information with residents who might benefit.

Discussion (summary): supervisors and presenters noted that need exists across the county and asked residents and agencies to share request information. The board distributed informational flyers in the meeting vestibule.

Ending: Lasagna Love volunteers encouraged residents to request help at lasagnalove.org/volunteer or lasagnalove.org/request and to share flyers from the county vestibule with neighbors.