The Recipe for Robust Community Engagement
By Andria Larson, Executive Director of Lasagna Love
At Lasagna Love, we know every good recipe needs the right ingredients.
This work is no different.
At the center of everything we do is kindness. That’s the one ingredient we never run out of. It’s fueled our growth from one neighbor cooking a meal during the pandemic into a kindness movement powered by more than 80,000 volunteers across the globe.
Ahead of GivingTuesday, which takes place on December 2, we’re sharing our recipe for robust community engagement. Like any meal worth savoring, it’s simple, heartfelt and made to be shared.
Grab your pen and paper! Make sure you add these ingredients to your shopping list.
Ingredient 1: Kindness as the Base
Every lasagna (and GivingTuesday campaign) begins with a sturdy layer, and for us that layer is kindness.
Generosity isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s what makes our model work. One lasagna may not change the world, but it can change someone’s day, and that ripple effect has built a global network of neighbors helping neighbors. Kindness is more than an action; it’s an ingredient that creates belonging and resilience.
Ingredient 2: A Dash of Simplicity & Accessibility
Our philosophy is “do what you can, when you can.”
That means cutting the red tape for people to get involved as volunteers, donors, and advocates. We know that at some point, every one of us may need a helping hand. By removing barriers and judgment, we make it easy for someone to ask for support — and just as easy for a volunteer to say “yes.”
Behind the scenes, we rely on technology to lift administrative burdens so our volunteers can focus on the real work: showing up with a meal and a smile.
By making participation simple and welcoming, you can grow your base of support and build a strong team for GivingTuesday.
Ingredient 3: Mixing in Relationship Building
The magic of community happens in those “I thought I was the only one” moments, when stories overlap and connections spark.
We see it every day in volunteer notes, shared experiences, and unexpected friendships. One of our favorite examples came from Lake Charles, Louisiana, where an event planned to serve 100 lasagnas grew into more than 700 after local businesses began “outbidding” each other.
What started as a meal delivery turned into a joyful celebration of community, proof that kindness and generosity are contagious.
So, keep the conversation going amongst your team by asking open-ended questions, hosting in-person and virtual gatherings, and more to keep morale high and engagement strong.
Ingredient 4: A Healthy Dose of Humor & Humanity
We do serious work, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
Our volunteers often share their first deliveries or their #LasagnaFail moments — the overstuffed lasagna that collapses in the pan, the noodles that didn’t quite cooperate. In these moments, it might feel like a disaster, but more often than not, it becomes a badge of honor and a story that bonds people together. Humor reminds us to stay human, authentic and connected.
Take your fumbles as learning moments!
Everyday Ways to Build Your Recipe
You know how Ina Garten says, “store bought is fine?” Keep that approach in mind when pulling together your ingredients. If you’re looking for some quick and easy ways to spread kindness, here are a few tips we suggest:
1. Thank a local nonprofit with a quick note or social post (don’t forget to tag them!).
2. Check in on someone you haven’t heard from and let them know you’re thinking of them.
3. Look someone in the eyes and smile — a small gesture that says, “I see you.”
4. Hold the door and say hello, compliment someone’s shoes, or leave a note admiring a neighbor’s decorations.
Simple actions, like simple ingredients, can spark something brighter than you ever imagined.
The Bigger Picture
Nonprofits are more than service providers — they act as spaces of connection. Places where dignity, belonging, and resilience are baked in.
This GivingTuesday, in the midst of our Pasta for a Purpose campaign, we invite you to join the ripple effect. By requesting a meal, cooking for a neighbor, donating a cause you care about or simply spreading kindness in your everyday life — you become a key part of a great recipe.
Kindness is more than an action. It’s an ingredient that, when shared, creates deep belonging and lasting connection.
GivingTuesday is a fantastic opportunity to build a stronger sense of community and, of course, raise money for the causes you care about. Now, get your list in order and start baking your campaigns!
P.S. If you need a little extra help getting started, follow GivingTuesday across social media and get their newsletter so you can keep up with their all-new 12-week content series! Next week is all about partnerships and collaborations.
