LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There are people both across the Commonwealth and the country who are cooking up something special for people who want it.

Ingredients laid out on Sandy Horsley’s table are about to become something special—and tasty.

“I use ricotta,” Horsley said as she prepared a lasagna for the oven.

But how it’s made isn’t as important as why.

“Five noodles on each layer,” Horsley said as she continued her preparations.

Sandy Horsley makes a lasagna with a purpose.

“I need something to get me started, and it’s a positive thing to do, ‘cuz I love to eat,” Horsley said.

She’s a volunteer chef with an organization called Lasagna Love. Their mission is simple: feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. Horsley began making lasagnas a year ago and she loves it.

“You just stay at home, cook up a nice meal for someone that is hungry or feeling bad or has lost someone. There’s all kinds of reasons that I do it. I feel like I’m giving back. My life is happy. I’m healthy, have a lovely family. I just wanted to give back a little,” Horsley said.

Originally from Western Kentucky, Horsley has lived in Louisville since 1965. She was a schoolteacher for 27 years. After retiring in 2004, she wanted to do something worthwhile. She wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.

Horsley heard about Lasagna Love on national TV and signed up. Now, she’s one of over 20,000 volunteer “lasagna chefs” in the U.S., Canada and Australia.

“It’s a warm feeling that someone cared enough to spend a little bit of money and a little bit of time to bring this meal to your family and feel good about the world. It’s a bad place, we seem to think, but there’s good people,” Horsley said.

So, how does Lasagna Love work? First, families sign up to get a meal, no questions asked.

Then, they’re matched with a volunteer chef who makes the meal. The food then gets a contactless delivery right to their door. All for free.

Suzanne Ponder has helped her mom deliver lasagnas for about 7 months.

“You like to think that’s one meal that they wouldn’t have had otherwise. Or that would brighten their spirits. People that have met me not when I just dropped it off and left, they’ve met me at the door. They’ve been super appreciative. You can tell it just put a smile on their face,” Ponder said as she made a delivery.

Back at home, Horsley said she has cooked 40 to 50 homemade lasagnas since she started. She’s got a secret to a really good lasagna.

“Cheese!” Horsely said with a chuckle. “I love to put nutmeg in my ricotta. A lot of people don’t do that.”

And she’s going to keep cooking and giving one lasagna at a time. 

For those interested in signing up to get a lasagna meal, or in nominating someone to get one, click here to be taken to the Lasagna Love website.