Mangia 562: Meet the Long Beach food lovers delivering warm lasagnas to those who deserve it

Mangia 562 has one simple goal. To deliver a par-cooked tray of lasagna to a person or family whose peers think they’re deserving of it. And especially during this time—when many of the less privileged are working extended hours, don’t have the holidays off, or simply can’t afford to take the time off—this small group of Long Beach food lovers

Loree [left] and Erin Carey [right] deliver lasagnas to two families. Both have given permission to have their photos published.

So what is Mangia 562 and how did it get started?

The reality is that they’re not a formal 501(c)3—nor do they want to be. They are uncomplicated because it is more efficient that way. And they plan on delivering two lasagnas a week as long as nominations keep coming in. And who, exactly, are these food lovers working some holiday magic? You have wives Loree and Erin Carey—the latter of whom you might recognize as the coach of the Wilson High School’s girls’ basketball team—and the husband-and-wife team behind Dilly’s Sandwiches, Brein and Rory Ann Clements.

“Community helping community—that’s how I view it,” said Loree. “I know there are times when life is hard. For some people, it’s been hard since the pandemic. I found myself offering to cook for friends, whether it was someone that just had twin boys or a family friend who had beyond a full-load. So why not broaden the range of benefit to our community by giving a family a stress-free, worry-free few meal?”

With Loree’s passion for cooking and the desire to give back, Rory Ann “became immediately inspired after Loree posted about the concept in the Long Beach Food Scene.

“Once we got talking we decided Dilly’s could be a great spot for donations to be dropped off. We can keep everything refrigerated until she’s ready to cook. Wanting to get started right away I donated the first round of ingredients this morning, Loree and Erin quickly picked them up and got to work cooking and the first to meals will be delivered today.”

Assembly of the first lasagnas began the second week of December for Mangia 562. Photos by Loree Carey.

So how does it work?

Have somebody in mind that deserves a warm meal? It can really be anyone: Someone who particularly works hard at their job. Someone struggling and is in need. Someone who uplifts in a way that deserves to have it mirrored back. The deserving of a warm meal fits many categories that go both with the need for sustenance and beyond—and that is the foci of Mangia 562.

“Nominating is super simple: Just send us an email [at Mangia562@outlook.com],” Loree said. “If you have donations—most of our ingredients are bought from Costco, with eggs from Lazy Acres, proteins from various places—you can leave them at Dilly’s [located at 4144 Viking Way].”

Mangia 562 expands the definition of ‘need’ in a powerful way.

One lasagna? It was delivered to a woman who lost her son and now has two kids—one 14, another 19—to now take care of. Another? Her children are both in wheelchairs—and caregiving takes on a doubly-taxing definition. These are just a few examples of whom Mangia 562 has served. And with it, looks not to just those in financial stress but emotional and physical duress as well.

The idea that our concept of “need” needs to be expanded is a powerful one: Surely, money is always an important resource; it is literally the way one can access food directly for oneself. But nourishment has many forms—and oftentimes, those in our community who have the means to go out and buy all the ingredients and make a meal simply don’t have the energy or time. And just like those who can’t afford it, the gift of a warm meal can move just as profoundly.

In other words: The scope of Mangia 562 is wonderfully wide, catering to all parts of our community that deserve an uplift.

The future of Mangia 562 is simple: Keep it going.

“We are thrilled to have Rory and Brein of Dilly’s partner in this endeavor—and it is because of that partnership that we think we can make this thing last,” Loree said. “So our goal is simple. We want to continue weekly, giving as many in our community a day or night of relief. Maybe it rubs off and others perform acts of kindness. That’s all I could ask for.”

Can we get an amen?

To submit a nomination, ask about donations, or other questions, email: Mangia562@outlook.com