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Keyedrya Jacobs, Jenna Weld and Aidin Martinez of the Communities That Care Coalition assemble trays of lasagna at Greenfield’s Community Action Family Center to help eight families celebrate National Family Day. -
Keyedrya Jacobs of the Communities That Care Coalition puts trays of lasagna into the oven at Greenfield’s Community Action Family Center on Monday.
GREENFIELD — For families across the world, dinnertime is the pinnacle of togetherness. On National Family Day on Monday, the Communities That Care Coalition did its part to ensure dinnertime was possible for those in need by preparing lasagna meals for eight families.
According to a graphic created by the Communities That Care Coalition, Family Day was started by Columbia University researchers “to spread the word about the importance of regular, quality family time as a great way to help your kids stay drug and alcohol free, healthy and happy.” An accompanying statement from the coalition explains parental involvement through bonding opportunities, such as family dinnertime, can translate to reduced substance use, reduced depression, improved nutrition and better educational outcomes.
“It’s really about spending quality family time, and the way most people do that is through a meal,” said Keyedrya Jacobs, coordinator for the Communities That Care Coalition’s PEER Ambassador Group. “If we can provide the meal, it can add more time for people to spend with each other.”
Jenna Weld, who co-chairs the coalition’s Parent and Family Engagement Group, said her idea of preparing lasagna dinners for Family Day was inspired by Lasagna Love, a charity started by Massachusetts native Rhiannon Menn that “connects neighbors for home-cooked meal delivery” as “an international movement of kindness,” according to LasagnaLove.org. Greenfield resident Trouble Mandeson has lead an extension of the lasagna program locally in recent years, which Weld herself has benefited from.
“I’ve been there. We’ve had to ask for money for food many times and … this is very humbling and I’m very proud of this,” Weld said, calling her initiative a “dream” of hers.
Jacobs took the lead preparing and cooking eight lasagnas at Greenfield’s Community Action Family Center through the morning and early afternoon. In addition to a medley of ricotta and mozzarella cheese, the lasagnas were each made with ground turkey, with some also having sweet sausage mixed in. Each lasagna would be paired with garlic bread, salad and a family “swag bag” to either be delivered or picked up by one of eight families who signed up for the program through the Family Center.
Weld took pride in the idea that her new lasagna initiative could be a “continuing tradition” established by Lasagna Love in Franklin County. She said she hopes to partner with Lasagna Love at least once per year going forward to help feed more families in need.
For more information about National Family Day, visit casafamilyday.org.
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.