Slade is very engaged at home. He does many chores during the week and he loves to help his family and friends. For the longest time Slade’s reply to what do you want for dinner was, “mac and cheese.” Slade’s high school teachers noted that he eagerly participated in cooking class and, as with many teenage boys, liked to eat what he made, but at home always asked for mac and cheese. One of Slade’s Benhaven learning objectives for at home individual support is to prepare a meal, including, choosing a meal, writing a shopping list and shopping for ingredients.
Prior to the pandemic Slade had widened his choice of what he cooked at home. Shrimp with thyme, pizza, apple crisp and zucchini bread are just a few of what he likes to cook. Slade has improved his cooking skills to include kitchen safety, following a recipe, learning to differentiate measuring cups from measuring spoons, how to measure ingredients, how to mix and stir, setting the oven temp and cooking timer.
At the start of the pandemic many of Slade’s community interactions and activities with friends were cut back or eliminated, as was school. Slade’s family and providers were concerned about him being isolated from friends and community. Looking for opportunities to stay engaged we heard about Lasagna Love.
Lasagna Love is a nationwide grassroots movement that aims to positively impact communities by connecting neighbors with neighbors through homemade meal delivery. The nonprofit also seeks to eliminate stigmas associated with asking for help- especially moms –when it is needed most.
Lasagna Love started at the beginning of the pandemic when the founder of Good to Mama was looking for a way to help moms in her community. She and her toddler started by making and delivering meals to families in the neighborhood who were struggling, whether that struggle was financial, emotional, or simply a feeling of being overwhelmed.
Lasagna Love has since grown into an international movement with thousands of people all cooking and delivering meals to families in their communities. For more information go to https://www.lasagnalove.org/.
Mac and cheese is still a favorite! But as a result of the pandemic an opportunity opened to expand Slade’s community engagement, his cooking skills and to include more friends and families “in your heart.”
Slade receives an online match with a family from the Lasagna Love volunteer portal. We learn the number of adults and children in the family and if there are any dietary restrictions, which we discuss.
Slade learned that making and delivering lasagna helps families who need help with food due to the pandemic. He often says, “families in your heart,” when we plan a delivery for families with children.
We received wonderful help from Rick Onofrio, Onofrio Foods New Haven. Rick has generously donated all the sauce for the lasagnas we have made.
Slade has learned kitchen safety and how to set the oven temperature and cooking timer.
The best part of Lasagna Love is the delivery. Slade always remembers to take his face mask and to wear it when he delivers the lasagna.
Slade has delivered one or more lasagnas almost every week since January 2021.