In celebration of Veterans Day, veterans served by The River will receive a homemade lasagna, like the one pictured, from local volunteers with Lasagna Love.
MADISON, Wis. — The River Food Pantry has partnered with the volunteers of Lasagna Love to deliver free homemade lasagnas to homes of the pantry’s veteran clients the week of Veterans Day.
“We are thrilled to team up with Lasagna Love to show our veterans how much we care about them and appreciate their service,” said Rhonda Adams, Executive Director of The River who served over 20 years in the US Army and the Army Reserves.
Part of a national program that launched during the pandemic, Lasagna Love is a group of volunteers baking lasagnas out of their homes to deliver to families in need due to income, long work shifts, health problems, etc.
“Need can mean anything. We want you to know it’s ok to ask for help. We aren’t here to judge and everyone qualifies,” said Lisa Fisher, Lasagna Love’s Madison area regional leader. “A person can request once a month and is usually matched within a couple of weeks, depending on the number of volunteers in the area.”
Adams personally contacted The River’s veteran clients to ask for permission to nominate them for a lasagna from Lasagna Love. Out of over 100 veteran households served by the pantry, 30 expressed interest in receiving a lasagna.
“It was such an honor to speak with our veterans and hear their stories. One client told me he looks forward to sharing his lasagna with his daughter in celebration of his wife’s life who died last year due to COVID-19,” Adams said. “Another client is staying in a hotel with his wife while their home gets repaired after a fire and they can’t wait to share the lasagna with their daughters and grandkids.”
In addition, Adams heard from the family of an 85-year-old veteran who is living alone and on a fixed income. “What you are doing for our veterans is amazing,” said the veteran’s son.
“We encourage anyone to sign up for a monthly lasagna at lasagnalove.org,” Fisher said. “We also encourage anyone who wants to volunteer to join us. It’s an amazing feeling to show someone you care by providing a warm, comforting meal.”
The River welcomes all Dane County veterans and military families to utilize its services. Learn more at riverfoodpantry.org.
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About The River Food Pantry
The River Food Pantry, serving over 1,000 diverse households each week, is South Central Wisconsin’s busiest food pantry. Our services include free groceries for curbside pickup or delivery, freshly prepared to-go meals, and mobile lunches for children and adults in low-income neighborhoods. Since opening in 2006, our vision has always been to achieve a fully nourished community. Learn more at riverfoodpantry.org.
About Lasagna Love
Lasagna Love is an international grassroots movement that aims to positively impact communities by connecting neighbors with neighbors through homemade meal delivery. We also seek to eliminate the stigma associated with asking for help. Learn more at lasagnalove.org.
Media Contacts
Becca Carpenter
Communications Manager
The River Food Pantry
becca@riverfoodpantry.org
Lisa Fisher
Madison Area Regional Leader
Lasagna Love
lasagnalisa12@gmail.com | 608-320-2728