No questions asked, just free lasagne: The Brisbane volunteers offering cheesy goodness
'If someone teaches me how to cook something, I'll pick it up pretty easily and remember it,' Tex says.
Lasagna Love was started in 2020 by San Diego chef Rhiannon Menn, and it quickly gained momentum under COVID, delivering 1000 meals a week and achieving non-profit status within months.
Hobart resident Stacy Klousia brought the idea to Australia the following year.
Natalie Ralph, Lasagna Love's Queensland organiser, says she was attracted to the platform's 'no judgement' approach.
'Once somebody requests help [online], we're not asking for any proof that you're actually in need, because that need can be quite hard to prove.'
'Once somebody requests help [online], we're not asking for any proof that you're actually in need, because that need can be quite hard to prove.'
Natalie Ralph
Ralph says that 1000 people were fed during Lasagna Love's July awareness and recruitment drive. There are now 155 volunteers in Queensland making and delivering lasagne, with the lion's share in Brisbane.
'It might be somebody struggling financially, a family with a new baby, people who have recently had surgery, people who are homeless, families living in emergency hotel accommodation.'
An anonymous recipient on the Lasagna Love website likened the service to 'a hug I desperately needed'.
'There was one woman who had been going through a family breakup, and said this made such an impact, just knowing that people out of the kindness of their heart wanted to do something so simple. It was very emotional,' Rebekah says.
The 2024 Foodbank Hunger Report found that nearly 700,000 Queensland households had experienced food insecurity in the previous 12 months, meaning they were not eating quality, variety, or desirable food.
Meanwhile, a Volunteering Queensland report found that 64 per cent of Queenslanders volunteered in 2023, for an average of 21.6 hours a month.
Ralph says there is no typical profile for her volunteer lasagne chefs. 'We've got men, women, older people, younger people. We've got people with super-busy work lives. Lots of families get their children involved as well.'
University of Queensland associate professor in psychology James Kirby says studies have found performing acts of kindness for others can reduce depressive symptoms and improve both hedonic (pleasure-associated) and eudaimonic (referring to a sense of purpose or meaning) well-being.
Loading
'Lasagne requires some effort, so it's more meaningful because you've taken the time to create something, as opposed to just, 'I'm just gonna throw 20 bucks at it,'' Kirby says.
The Lasagna Love model, he says, takes away the sense of shame those needing help might feel.
'If you can give help and the person doesn't have to justify why they need it, that's often experienced as better, because as soon as you're having to justify why you might need a meal, it's almost a defensive position,' Kirby said.
Ralph said, 'part of what we're trying to do is break down that barrier of asking for help, and not making it difficult'.
'The demand is obviously going to continue to grow.'
Rebekah Treloar says she and Tex will continue with Lasagna Love after his Rotary volunteering requirement has finished.
'You want your kids to grow up being good humans,' she says.
Tex said, 'it feels good knowing that we've helped someone in a small way, but it still has a big impact'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
No questions asked, just free lasagne: The Brisbane volunteers offering cheesy goodness
'Tex loves to cook, and his specialty is bolognese,' she says. 'If someone teaches me how to cook something, I'll pick it up pretty easily and remember it,' Tex says. Lasagna Love was started in 2020 by San Diego chef Rhiannon Menn, and it quickly gained momentum under COVID, delivering 1000 meals a week and achieving non-profit status within months. Hobart resident Stacy Klousia brought the idea to Australia the following year. Natalie Ralph, Lasagna Love's Queensland organiser, says she was attracted to the platform's 'no judgement' approach. 'Once somebody requests help [online], we're not asking for any proof that you're actually in need, because that need can be quite hard to prove.' 'Once somebody requests help [online], we're not asking for any proof that you're actually in need, because that need can be quite hard to prove.' Natalie Ralph Ralph says that 1000 people were fed during Lasagna Love's July awareness and recruitment drive. There are now 155 volunteers in Queensland making and delivering lasagne, with the lion's share in Brisbane. 'It might be somebody struggling financially, a family with a new baby, people who have recently had surgery, people who are homeless, families living in emergency hotel accommodation.' An anonymous recipient on the Lasagna Love website likened the service to 'a hug I desperately needed'. 'There was one woman who had been going through a family breakup, and said this made such an impact, just knowing that people out of the kindness of their heart wanted to do something so simple. It was very emotional,' Rebekah says. The 2024 Foodbank Hunger Report found that nearly 700,000 Queensland households had experienced food insecurity in the previous 12 months, meaning they were not eating quality, variety, or desirable food. Meanwhile, a Volunteering Queensland report found that 64 per cent of Queenslanders volunteered in 2023, for an average of 21.6 hours a month. Ralph says there is no typical profile for her volunteer lasagne chefs. 'We've got men, women, older people, younger people. We've got people with super-busy work lives. Lots of families get their children involved as well.' University of Queensland associate professor in psychology James Kirby says studies have found performing acts of kindness for others can reduce depressive symptoms and improve both hedonic (pleasure-associated) and eudaimonic (referring to a sense of purpose or meaning) well-being. Loading 'Lasagne requires some effort, so it's more meaningful because you've taken the time to create something, as opposed to just, 'I'm just gonna throw 20 bucks at it,'' Kirby says. The Lasagna Love model, he says, takes away the sense of shame those needing help might feel. 'If you can give help and the person doesn't have to justify why they need it, that's often experienced as better, because as soon as you're having to justify why you might need a meal, it's almost a defensive position,' Kirby said. Ralph said, 'part of what we're trying to do is break down that barrier of asking for help, and not making it difficult'. 'The demand is obviously going to continue to grow.' Rebekah Treloar says she and Tex will continue with Lasagna Love after his Rotary volunteering requirement has finished. 'You want your kids to grow up being good humans,' she says. Tex said, 'it feels good knowing that we've helped someone in a small way, but it still has a big impact'.
The Age
3 days ago
- The Age
No questions asked, just free lasagne: The Brisbane volunteers offering cheesy goodness
'Tex loves to cook, and his specialty is bolognese,' she says. 'If someone teaches me how to cook something, I'll pick it up pretty easily and remember it,' Tex says. Lasagna Love was started in 2020 by San Diego chef Rhiannon Menn, and it quickly gained momentum under COVID, delivering 1000 meals a week and achieving non-profit status within months. Hobart resident Stacy Klousia brought the idea to Australia the following year. Natalie Ralph, Lasagna Love's Queensland organiser, says she was attracted to the platform's 'no judgement' approach. 'Once somebody requests help [online], we're not asking for any proof that you're actually in need, because that need can be quite hard to prove.' 'Once somebody requests help [online], we're not asking for any proof that you're actually in need, because that need can be quite hard to prove.' Natalie Ralph Ralph says that 1000 people were fed during Lasagna Love's July awareness and recruitment drive. There are now 155 volunteers in Queensland making and delivering lasagne, with the lion's share in Brisbane. 'It might be somebody struggling financially, a family with a new baby, people who have recently had surgery, people who are homeless, families living in emergency hotel accommodation.' An anonymous recipient on the Lasagna Love website likened the service to 'a hug I desperately needed'. 'There was one woman who had been going through a family breakup, and said this made such an impact, just knowing that people out of the kindness of their heart wanted to do something so simple. It was very emotional,' Rebekah says. The 2024 Foodbank Hunger Report found that nearly 700,000 Queensland households had experienced food insecurity in the previous 12 months, meaning they were not eating quality, variety, or desirable food. Meanwhile, a Volunteering Queensland report found that 64 per cent of Queenslanders volunteered in 2023, for an average of 21.6 hours a month. Ralph says there is no typical profile for her volunteer lasagne chefs. 'We've got men, women, older people, younger people. We've got people with super-busy work lives. Lots of families get their children involved as well.' University of Queensland associate professor in psychology James Kirby says studies have found performing acts of kindness for others can reduce depressive symptoms and improve both hedonic (pleasure-associated) and eudaimonic (referring to a sense of purpose or meaning) well-being. Loading 'Lasagne requires some effort, so it's more meaningful because you've taken the time to create something, as opposed to just, 'I'm just gonna throw 20 bucks at it,'' Kirby says. The Lasagna Love model, he says, takes away the sense of shame those needing help might feel. 'If you can give help and the person doesn't have to justify why they need it, that's often experienced as better, because as soon as you're having to justify why you might need a meal, it's almost a defensive position,' Kirby said. Ralph said, 'part of what we're trying to do is break down that barrier of asking for help, and not making it difficult'. 'The demand is obviously going to continue to grow.' Rebekah Treloar says she and Tex will continue with Lasagna Love after his Rotary volunteering requirement has finished. 'You want your kids to grow up being good humans,' she says. Tex said, 'it feels good knowing that we've helped someone in a small way, but it still has a big impact'.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Perth Now
Coal mine project threatens 'significant' koala habitat
A population of endangered koalas has been spotted by drones in a patch of bushland earmarked for a coal mine expansion. The discovery of 13 marsupials in one night in the 1.6sq/km area within the Glencore Hail Creek coal mine expansion site in central Queensland has been described by conservation groups and ecologists as significant for the species. "These findings confirm this koala population is likely of national significance - something we suggested as early as 2017," University of Queensland ecological researcher Bill Ellis said. The conservation status of the iconic creature was officially bumped from vulnerable to threatened in 2022 for stressed populations in Queensland, NSW and the ACT. Koalas have been under pressure for decades from habitat loss, disease and bushfires as well as other weather extremes fanned by climate change. It's not the only native species in trouble, with Australia topping global rankings for mammal extinction. Global mining giant Glencore plans to expand the footprint of the Hail Creek metallurgical and thermal coal export mine, a move its environmental assessment shows will disrupt nearly 600 hectares of "ecologically significant" koala habitat. The project is waiting for state environment approval and conservation groups expect the mine proposal to trigger federal nature laws. Queensland Conservation Council coal and gas campaigner Charlie Cox, one of the groups behind the drone investigation, said the discovery of a significant koala population should ring alarm bells for Federal Environment Minster Murray Watt. "If the Albanese government means it when they say they are serious about no new extinctions, then they must halt all coal project assessments in the region until the population size, health and habitat can be thoroughly investigated," she said. Lock the Gate and the Mackay Conservation Group were also involved in the drone surveying of the site. Mines and other types of development impinging on threatened species habitat have been able to secure environmental approval in the past on the condition trees are planted or biodiversity loss offset in other ways. Ms Cox said offsetting habitat destruction was rarely effective, with koalas unable to live among tree seedlings, nor receptive to relocation. "You can't just necessarily up and move those koalas to another habitat, hundreds of kilometres away," she told AAP. A Glencore spokesperson said the company was "very aware" of existing koala habitat on the site. "We are working closely with state and federal governments to deliver an effective environmental management plan to minimise impact on flora and fauna in the Hail Creek project area," they said. The company did not provide a direct response to questions about the effectiveness of biodiversity offsets and land rehabilitation programs. Mackay Conservation Group climate campaigner Imogen Lindenberg said Hail Creek's greenhouse gas emissions were also contributing to climate change, another "nail in the coffin" for endangered koalas. The methane that escapes as part of the open cut coal mine's operations has come under scrutiny, with a study released earlier this year saying the amount of the potent greenhouse gas emitted by the site may have been underestimated. The Glencore spokesperson said the company was continuing to manage its greenhouse emissions in compliance with the national safeguard mechanism, the federal policy designed to cut emissions at Australia's largest industrial facilities.
