National Lasagne Day: Meet the volunteer chef and paramedicine student feeding those in need

Chloe Passmore said as a child, a free homemade lasagne would have made a big difference, which is why she is happy to spend her free time making the meal for struggling families.

Lasagna Love NT volunteer, Chloe Passmore, in her student paramedic uniform. Picture: supplied

There are few meals which sum up a heartwarming, home-cooked meal like a lasagne - particularly a free one.

In celebration of National Lasagne Day on July 29, the NT News spoke to one 23-year-old from Darwin who is making the beloved Italian dish in her spare time for those in need of some help.

In between juggling her studies in Paramedicine and working with Care Flight, Chloe Passmore makes and delivers lasagne to NT doorsteps.

Just moments before speaking with this masthead, Chloe had delivered her second lasagne since signing up as a volunteer with ‘Lasagna Love’.

One of Chloe Passmore's homemade lasagnes with Lasagna Love ready to be dropped off. Picture: supplied

The organisation, which has 800 volunteers across Australia, was set up to help feed families in times of need by having volunteers make and deliver a free lasagne.

As the oldest of four siblings with a single parent, Chloe said as a child, a free, homemade lasagne would have gone a long way.

“When I was a kid we were always a bit up and down at home,” the oldest of four siblings said.

“My mum was brilliant but it was only my mum, and I know there would have been weeks where something like this probably would have gone a long way for the four of us at home.

“I am now in a very lucky position where I’m fortunate enough to be able to help other people and it really does feel special to do so.”

Chloe Passmore with her family Anna, Taylen, Sebastian and Noah. Picture: supplied

The first lasagne she delivered was for a coeliac family who had been going through a tough time.

Anyone who feels they might be in need of a lasagne can submit a request on the Lasagna Love website which will then be matched to an appropriate volunteer.

But since Chloe had not ticked to say she could do a gluten-free lasagne, she had not been assigned the request.

So she reached out to the local leader for the NT, Natalie Ralph, to say she would happily “give it a go”.

“It was a couple who were a set of grandparents who’ve just taken in two grandchildren,” Chloe said.

”They were having a hard time and they were incredibly appreciative.

“It was very special.”

‘A lasagne goes a long way’

A big lasagne fan herself, Chloe makes her own pasta and still uses recipes from her school food and hospitality teacher Ms Labozzetta.

“I think that people struggle more than we know, and little things like lasagne really go a long way,” she added.

“I popped my lasagne down on the doorstep and felt really fulfilled.

Chloe Passmore with her school food and hospitality teacher Ms Labozzetta whose recipes she still uses. Picture: supplied

“The family reached out and messaged and said the timing couldn’t have been better.

”It’s a warm feeling and an afternoon making a lasagne really goes a long way.”

After delivering it to the family’s doorstep and seeing the difference it could make, Chloe wanted to do more to raise the organisation’s profile.

She posted to a few Darwin community groups which prompted an influx of requests for lasagne and people asking how they could help.

There are now 15 volunteers signed up in the Northern Territory including in Alice Springs.

The Australian country director of Lasagna Love and volunteer chef, Michelle Pavey, said the idea was to provide help with no questions asked.

“The fact that we aim to spread love and kindness, with no questions asked or judgement placed on a requester, truly makes this a humbling experience and ensures that recipients can keep their head high, with a sense of dignity,” Ms Pavey said.

“It has been a privilege to grow Lasagna Love’s presence in Australia, directly engaging communities from Alice Springs to Toowoomba to Mount Gambia, as well as our all of our capital cities, to support their neighbours, build friendships and our own community of lasagne chefs across every state and territory.”

To find out more about Lasagna Love, click here.