For the past six months, Newtown resident Lindsey Guerrero has been making lasagna for people in need by volunteering with the global nonprofit Lasagna Love.

The grassroots community movement started in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and has more than 35,000 volunteers to date. On average, Lasagna Love delivers 3,500 lasagnas each week and has impacted upwards of one million lives through the delivery of more than 250,000 meals.

According to Lasagna Love, “What we do is simple: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. Our mission is not only to help address the incredible rise in food insecurity among families, but also to provide a simple act of love and kindness during a time full of uncertainty and stress.”

Guerrero learned about the organization through a friend of hers on social media who delivers lasagna in another state.

“I initially started to volunteer for Lasagna Love as a way for my 6-year-old daughter to take part in helping others,” she said. “I figured it was a great way for her to gain an understanding of what it means to give back and to spend some time with her doing what we love to do — cooking! I also love the idea that Lasagna Love has no requirements and no stipulations for their requesters. It truly is neighbors helping neighbors with no questions asked.”

People make requests for a lasagna through the organization’s website, lasagnalove.org, either for themselves or by nominating a family in need.

“Once the lasagna is requested, it is assigned by a local leader to a volunteer in that area. Volunteers choose how often they want to cook and how far they are willing to deliver in their area and the assignments are made on a weekly basis,” Guerrero explained. “Once it is assigned, it is up to the volunteer to contact the requester and set up a time for delivery, usually within the week.”

She continued, “I ask my requester whether they would like the lasagna cooked and ready to eat or just assembled to bake in their own oven. And then I do a no-contact delivery — usually a doorstop drop-off.”

So far, her family has made seven lasagnas through Lasagna Love.

Guerrero uses her own traditional lasagna recipe, but for those who do not have a recipe, there are online resources for the home chefs.

“Lasagna Love does provide a recipe database, including recipes for allergy-friendly lasagnas. There are also Facebook groups for volunteers which have great ideas and recipes for the chefs,” Guerrero shared.

She is always mindful about the recipients’ needs and goes above and beyond to make them feel special.

“Sometimes if there are a number of children in the household, I will offer to make a tray of lasagna for the adults and a tray of mac and cheese for the kids. I also usually include a bread or dessert,” Guerrero said.

Creating the extra treats is a passion of hers because while she is a juvenile public defender by day, she dreams of one day owning a bakery.

Participating in Lasagna Love has become an outlet for her to pursue her passions, spend time with her children, and help families in need by giving them a free meal and show them how much they are cared for.

“My experience with Lasagna Love has really been amazing,” Guerrero said. “Obviously, it feels great to get a ‘thank you’ text from a happy family, but it has also been great to spend time in the kitchen with my daughters. The support from the organization is also great, from the volunteers to the local leaders.”

She noted that even if someone is not able to make a meal, there are other ways to get involved with Lasagna Love that do not involve cooking.

“One can sponsor a chef with a monthly monetary donation, make a lump sum donation, or raise money via a Facebook fundraiser. There are also opportunities for corporate partnerships and employer donation matching,” Guerrero said.

Her goal of sharing her story is that it can inspire more people to volunteer with Lasagna Love and create a positive impact. She also noted that Lasagna Love is always looking for more people to take part in receiving the lasagnas.

“There are plenty of people who could use a little sunshine in their lives, and what better way to provide that than with a yummy home-cooked meal? My hope is that more people become aware that the organization is here in our area and there are chefs ready to spread a little lasagna love,” Guerrero said.

To learn more about Lasagna Love, to request a meal, or to become a volunteer, visit lasagnalove.org and follow on social media.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.