Kindness Goes a Long Way When Facing a Crisis

Welcome to I Saved You, Now Do the Dishes. When my husband was battling cancer, the last thing I had time for was my own well-being. I didn't even cook for myself. And then one afternoon, I got an email from Lasagna Love. I was nominated to receive a lasagna. A home-made meal. From a stranger. A neighbor. And it changed my day. My week really. I looked forward to its arrival! And then, one Saturday afternoon, when Gavin was at his worst, and the cancer was close to killing him, I got a text from a man who said he was 20 minutes away from my delivery! A huge sheet pan of lasagna. Made with love. I called my family and invited them over, and for the first time in months, people gathered in my home to eat a hot meal with me. My poor husband slept, as he did after most evenings after chemo and radiation. I've been promoting Lasagna Love ever since. I've shared the organization with strangers, here on the podcast, with friends and family. I've nominated others. My sister is even a volunteer. And now, I'm on the board of directors of this beautiful grassroots national organization, and I couldn't be more proud. Today, the Executive Director, Andria Larson, joins me on I Saved You. Now, Do the Dishes to discuss how the organization works, the mission behind it, and even how people can get involved. At the heart of what Lasagna Love does is spreading kindness neighbor-to-neighbor through home-cooked lasagnas. People experiencing hardship, a medical crisis, or any sort of loss can request a lasagna. You can also nominate someone. In 2026 alone, 61,150 volunteers around the country have made and delivered 88,856 lasagnas to families in need. That's the cool news! The bad news is this... With the cost of food, health care, and daily life rising, we've seen more requests for help and, we could use more volunteers and donors. As an author and speaker, I focus on the realities of burnout recovery and the daily challenges we face in our personal lives. Whether you are managing a marriage, raising a family, or navigating professional responsibilities, the weight of an unexpected medical situation can feel isolating. Lasagna Love was a spark of light and love during a really dark spot in my life and marriage. And I know it could be that for other caregivers and family members going through a dark spot. To keep shining bright for those who need a little extra TLC, we need more volunteers and donors to join us in Lasagna Love. Subscribe for weekly caregiving insights, and let me know in the comments: what is the biggest challenge you face in your daily routine as a caregiver? You can connect with Andria and the Lasagna Love team at https://lasagnalove.org/   / wearelasagnalove     / wearelasagnalove   Connect with Carrie Severson at www.carrieseverson.com.   / carrieseverson.storyteller     / authorcarrieseverson