Latest News
May 21, 2013 - Please pray for the people who were affected by the Tornadoes that ripped through the Oklahoma City area yesterday.
Mercy 1 will be in Norman, OK later this morning. Mercy II is deploying from Georgia tomorrow.
More details to come.
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May 20, 2013 - Mercy Chefs is deploying Mercy 1 to Moore, OK. Prayers appreciated. Information to come.
If you are in the Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Colorado, or Texas areas and can volunteer with Mercy Chefs please contact:
Lane Griffin
229-425-5615
Mercy Chefs are also in need of anyone that is good with mechanics ie... working with propane, plumbing, diesel, etc... Teams are being set up now to "Go and Feed People"
If you would like to donate to Mercy Chefs and help us serve these people click here.
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Update 5/16/13
Please pray for the people of Granbury, TX where an F4 Tornado ripped through their lakeside community
Mercy 1 has arrived in Granbury, TX. We will start serving hot meals at lunch and dinner to the victims, first responders and volunteers on Friday, May 17th. More details to come.
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“And He will direct your path”
Not to get preachy, but I can’t help my self as I see how God is always at work, without our knowledge and certainly without our help.
In April we moved our mobile kitchen, Mercy Chef I, to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We had planned an Eat-N-Greet to meet some of the people who have supported us, volunteered with us and been a friend to Mercy Chefs for year. The Eat-N-Greet was scheduled for April 20th.
On April 17th, a fire and explosion at fertilizer plant in West, 60 miles south of Fort Worth, caused the death of 11 firefighter and four of it’s townsmen. It also displaced hundreds of families who lost their homes and most of their possessions.
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We postponed the Eat-N-Greet and headed south. Our Volunteers, Donors and Friends came along and with their help, we served 6000 meals to victims, responders and volunteers who all needed the comfort of a hot meal.
God knew before we did that the city of West would need us!
our business of disaster response, you never know when or where you’re going to be needed. For us, we don’t need to know. We trust in God and he directs our path.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. - NKJV
Gary
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Update 4/29
Mercy Chefs declared a “Community Hero” by television station KRLD (CBS) in Dallas
“A group of chefs and volunteers happened to be in the right place at the right time, when the deadly explosion in West occurred. Their Texas-based mobile kitchen was in place for a fundraider that was scheduled to take place that following Saturday.
The organization, Mercy Chefs, is this week’s KRLD Community Hero…”
Thank you KRLD for recognizing the work of Mercy Chefs. But our work is only possible because of the tremendous support of our local church partners; the commitment and skills of our volunteer Chefs; the incredible team of volunteers who help prepare, package and distribute the food; and our generous donors.
Thank you to all of you! You share in this honor.
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Update 4/28
West, Texas’ new normal
As we exited I-35 and onto the main drag of West around noon on Sunday it was like stepping back in time. Not years or decades, but just a few short weeks.
Shops were full, Sonic had a long line at the drive-in window and the Czech stop was 40 people deep waiting to order their “Texas famous” Kolaches. It was a typical Sunday afternoon.
On April 17th life changed forever in this quiet, farming community. It lost 12 of it’s bravest volunteer heroes and 3 of it’s neighbors and friends. It also lost hundreds of homes that were destroyed or deemed uninhabitable. Some have lost everything yet they vow to stay and rebuild.
Now that the funerals are over and the media has gone, life here in West has a new normal. The shock is subsiding but the grief remains. The town of West will go on. It will be strong again but it will have a whole in it’s heart for a very long time.
It was a privilege to be in West the past 10 days, serving over 6000 hot meals to those who lost so much. We have laughed, cried and been moved by the people and their stories.
Be assured our new friends of West, you will be in our hearts and prayers and we promise, you will not be forgotten.
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Update 4/25
A message from Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs
Every day our Mercy Chefs teams of volunteers venture into the streets of West, Texas carrying hundreds of hot meals to the hotel housing the victims whose homes were destroyed; to the fairgrounds where the largest distribution of supplies is taking place; to the the Emergency Response Command Center; and to the recovery workers and law enforcement officials who are manning the streets 24/7.
And every day those awesome volunteers are seeing miracle after miracle of provision; hearing incredible testimonies of survival, faith and hope; and they look into the faces of the people who are so appreciative of the work of Mercy Chefs – made possible by you.
Thank you for allowing us to be your feet carrying food and hope to these hundreds of people of West, Texas every day.
Please watch this special video which gives you a glimpse into the work of Mercy Chefs in West, Texas.
As always, thank you for your prayers and your financial support. As you will see in the video, your support to us and the people of West is an indescribable blessing.
Gary LeBlanc,
Mercy Chefs
P.S. I hope you’ll take a minute to watch this brief video giving you a glimpse into the work of the Mercy Chefs mission in West, Texas.
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Update 4/23
A message from Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs
The last couple of days we’ve seen a lot of heartache as some of the evacuated families in West, Texas are able to return to what remains of their homes and personal belongings. We have seen a lot of tears here today, but also tears of joy that miraculously their lives were spared.
Students from the school leveled by the blast returned today to a makeshift school in a nearby district.
Still, hundreds of people are not allowed to return their homes which were decimated by the blast. They remain housed in a local hotel and other facilities.
This is as close to normal as the folks here will see for a long time. These are people Mercy Chefs continues to provide hot meals for — along with the emergency workers and law enforcement officers who man the streets 24/7.
+ + I will not leave an unmet need
We have been asked by local officials to stay here as long as possible. I have committed our team to stay for as long as we can operate the kitchen with chefs and volunteers to the Mercy Chefs standard.
Yesterday, we changed locations and restarted our operations using a rotation of chefs from Texas — and other local volunteers through this week.
We have committed to making sure that hot meals are provided to the victims, first responders and volunteers in and around West, Texas, even as other food service organizations are leaving.
As always, thank you for your prayers and your financial support. Both mean more to us and the people of West than I can possibly convey in words.
Gary LeBlanc,
Mercy Chefs
P.S. I am so very thankful for the support we have received so far. If you haven’t already helped, click here to make a special, tax-deductible gift, directly to Mercy Chefs, to help us bring immediate relief and hope – and continue our ongoing efforts.
Smiles in West, Texas for a hot meal.
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Update 4/22 3:30 CT
A message from Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs
Many food suppliers are pulling out of West, Texas — leaving the victims and recovery workers there in a crisis. But Mercy Chefs is staying to meet this growing need.
I received a disturbing call yesterday from the West, Texas Emergency Response Command Center: “We’ve learned that many of the food-service operations are shutting down today or tomorrow. We’ll be in desperate need for hot meals. Can you help?” Then, a hotel manager called with a similar plea: “The food suppliers are leaving. I have hundreds of people here who will be without hot meals after tomorrow!” That hotel is housing many of the families whose homes were destroyed.
I have committed our team to stay. I will not leave an unmet need. We will change locations and restart our operations using chefs from Texas and Virginia — and other local volunteers through this week. This week may be the most crucial for the work of Mercy Chefs here in this devastated town.
We have committed to making sure that hot meals are provided to the victims, first responders and volunteers in and around West, Texas, even as other organizations are leaving. I’m trusting that our friends will step forward in a major way to help keep us on the ground here so we can continue supporting and feeding this rocked community.
+ + Special Tribute Meal On Sunday
Yesterday, we provided a special meal for the families of the 11 fallen emergency responders. It was our honor to do that. I looked into the eyes of one young lady, and she looked as though she’d been crying rivers for days. And why shouldn’t she? She just lost her daddy. The Mercy Chefs team and many volunteers went all out to make sure that the meal was first class in every way.
+ + Miracles are happening
Last evening as I arrived for a meeting at the Command Center, I was greeted by a man who told me an amazing story from earlier in the day.
They had put out the last of the food they had on hand and saw it go quickly. They realized they needed another 100-150 meals for the recovery crew working so hard at ground zero and law enforcement guarding the site. They stopped and prayed that the Lord would do some sort of “loaves and fishes” miracle. They needed food for these selfless heroes and they had none. Ten minutes after the prayer a Mercy Chefs truck pulled up. We had 150 extra meals from lunch and felt directed to the command site. There were tears on both sides as they saw a prayer answered in real time.
Please do pray for the people of West and the Mercy Chefs team that God will continue to use us in such an extraordinary and humbling way.
As always, thank you for your prayers and your financial support. And thank you for allowing us to work on your behalf.
Gary LeBlanc,
Mercy Chefs
+ + + + + + The faces of West, Texas
Lucy was injured during the plant blast on Wednesday. She and her family lost their home and everything in it. Mercy Chefs were privileged to serve her and her family a hot breakfast this morning.
Help us rise to the challenge of feeding quality meals to this hard-hit community. Click here to make a special, tax-deductible gift, directly to Mercy Chefs, to help bring immediate relief and continue ongoing relief efforts.
Mercy Chefs volunteers assembling the meals to be distributed.
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UPDATE 4/20 12:23PM CT
Thankful family in West, Texas
Early Friday morning, Gary and his team of chefs and volunteers were already providing meals to first responders, evacuees and victims of the devastating plant explosion. Gary’s team was able to respond within 24 hours of the explosion because a Mercy Chefs kitchen had been strategically located in nearby Dallas in anticipation of the upcoming tornado season.
Your Help Needed!
Gary LeBlanc and the Mercy Chefs team are currently in West, Texas, providing meals to victims and volunteers in response to the explosion April 17 that killed 14, injured 200 and left a path of devastation in its path. Right now, Mercy Chefs is serving hundreds of meals every day to the needy in this community that is still reeling from the massive explosion. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift today to help Mercy Chefs meet this need and continue other vital efforts.
501(c)(3) #20-5050449
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December 17, 2012
Walmart awards grants to organizations from Arkansas, California, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota & Virginia (including Mercy Chefs). Please click here to read more.
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November 16, 2012
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November 15, 2012
Mercy Chef is preparing Mercy #2 Mobile Kitchen for relocation to Freeport, NY.
The Mercy Chefs team, under the direction of President Gary LeBlanc, is responding to an invitation by Mayor Andrew Hardwick to relocate a mobile kitchen to feed those still housed in Freeport's emergency shelters. Freeport is in Nassau county of Long Island. It is one of the many low areas that were devastated by super storm Sandy.
Tanya Carter, Assistant to the Mayor stated earlier today "Our people are still in shelters. Half the Southside is still without power and heat".
Refuge Apostolic Church of Christ is hosting the Mercy Chefs kitchen and teams as part of their community outreach and response to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Hot meals will be served starting on Sunday at the Freeport recreational center and a full Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings will be served to over 1000 people at lunch and dinner.
Rev. Tina Baker stated, "We asked ourselves, how do we feed these families who have lost everything. How do we give them the gift of a Thanksgiving meal? And then Mercy Chefs called and offered to come to our community over Thanksgiving week. It's a gift, It's a blessing!"
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation please click here.
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November 7, 2012
Everyone lost something. Some lost everything.
In this area of Brooklyn, near the coast, residents are reporting Superstorm Sandy's waterline to be 6 feet or more in their homes and businesses.
Nearly every store has been damaged or destroyed, everyone lost something - and many people lost everything.
The hospitals were forced to shut down and... evacuate patients.
It's bitterly cold in the places where residents still have shelter - but no power, water or heat.
Now we are being warned that a damaging coastal storm, a Nor' easter is threatening this area with more high winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding and potential snowfall adding to the misery here and hampering relief efforts.
Those are just a few reasons why a hot meal goes a very long way here.
As the wake of Sandy recedes, more and more people are crying out for help - and the need is intensifying.
Today, once again we will serve thousands of hot meals to people whose lives have been turned upside down.
Honestly, the need here is so great that I could have 6 kitchens set up and still not be able to feed everyone who deserves a hot meal.
We also freely feed the volunteers and first responders who are diligently working to restore passable living conditions here. But it's going to take a while.
One thing is certain, these victims are very grateful for one or two hot meals a day - and grateful to you - the donors who make these meals possible.
I wish you could see first-hand the faces of the recipients and hear the heartfelt thank you that we experience all day long.
We can't provide these hot meals to the victims, volunteers and first responders without your help. Your generosity helps make it all possible.
Every gift helps. No gift is too small - and certainly no gift is too large.
Please help Mercy Chefs provide thousands of hot meals to people whose lives have been devastated. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation please click here.
During Liberty News Live, Ron De Jong talked with Mercy Chef's Gary LeBlanc about the effort to feed those impacted by Superstorm Sandy in New York.
Mercy Chefs Help Feed NYC
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November 6, 2012: Pix & Video from New York
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November 5, 2012:
Mercy Chefs were packed and headed to the lower east side of Manhattan (an impoverished area that had sustained major damage) on October 31st. Upon arriving, Mercy Chefs had quickly set up and served hot chili and cornbread to over 900 people. By the following day there were lines going across the block of people waiting for a hot meal.
On Friday Mercy Chefs begin feeding over 4,000 people and exceeded 8,000 by that evening. The picture below shows the line of people waiting for a hot meal. Many of these people had been without power and water for days and were so thankful for the comfort of a warm meal.
One of the victims of Sandy wrote a letter to Mercy Chefs thanking them for their kindness and quick response to bringing a warm meal to her family. She and her three boys had been without power and were running out of food. What a blessing it was for Mercy Chefs to feed this family. This is why we do what we do!!!
By Sunday late afternoon, power had been restored to this area and Mercy Chefs were packed and heading to Coney Island.
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November 3, 2012:
November 1, 2012:
Mercy Chefs set up our mobile kitchen on the lower east side of Manhattan serving in an impoverished and hard-hit area of the city.
Last night the food line to the Mercy Chefs kitchen stretched around the block before we opened our doors to begin serving people.
With a short turnaround time, we were able to feed 900 hungry New Yorkers a terrific bowl of hot chili and cornbread.
Many of the victims we are serving are without water and power - and may be without power for as many as 10 days!
We are told that there are over 40,000 people living in the immediate vicinity of where we will be serving.
I am believing God for a miracle each day because it costs us about $10 to provide a hot meal to a family of four who have no place else to turn for a meal after this massive storm.
HELP PROVIDE HOT MEALS TO SUPERSTORM SANDY VICTIMS
+ + Just $10 Helps Feed A Family Of Four In Sandy's Path
It costs about $10 to provide a hot meal to a family of four who have seen their lives turned upside down in the past few days by this massive storm. If you can help with a gift of $30, $50, $100 or more, Mercy Chefs will put it to work immediately in response to Sandy.
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution today to help Mercy Chefs meet this need. Click on the link below if you would like to donate to Mercy Chefs.
Mercy Chefs is totally dependent on the generosity of friends like you. Your tax-deductible gifts literally make it possible for us to provide this service. If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift today, please click here.
God Bless You!
Gary LeBlanc
October 30, 2012:
Hurricane Sandy has impacted million of people with it's path of death and destruction spanning from the Mid-Atlantic states through the Northeast. And now is driving deep into the Midwest.
In response to the storm the Mercy Chefs team is deploying staff and equipment tomorrow. I will be sending you email updates as things unfold. We are currently talking with officials in Pennsylvania and New York who are in need of help in their communities. We hope to be feeding people tomorrow evening.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I am so grateful for friends like you who make it possible for our team to provide the comfort of a hot meal to those whose lives have been turned upside down by disasters.
May God bless you.
Gary LeBlanc
Founder/President
Mercy Chefs Inc.
P.S. Much of our expenses occur prior to deployment as we gather and disburse our Mercy Chefs resources. If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift today to help us prepare, please click here.
October 27, 2012:
Mercy Chef mobile kitchens are ready for re-staging in South Central Virginia to respond to Hurricane Sandy.
The Mercy Chefs team, under the direction of President Gary LeBlanc, is preparing to transport Chefs, Volunteers and supplies to the hardest areas of the Northeast once the storm has passed. The team is poised to respond quickly to the need for preparing hot meals for those displaced, those without electricity and first responders.
LeBlanc stated earlier today "This is an unprecedented storm. The people this will hit are unskilled and helpless in a hurricane."
Currently the storm track has a wide cone that lands the Hurricane/Nor'easter somewhere between the Delmarva Peninsula and New York's long Island. Landfall is expected anytime between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Mercy Chefs, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit, faith-based charitable organization based in Portsmouth, VA. and is committed to providing high-quality, professionally prepared meals to victims, first responders, and volunteers during natural disasters and national emergencies.
Contact: Donna Testa
Tel: 757-630-1425
Email: testamedia@gmail.com
www.mercychefs.com
www.facebook.com/MercyChefs
October 10, 2012:
Mercy Chefs Plans to Feed 6,000 Thanksgiving Meals to those still recovering from Hurricane Isaac
Mercy Chefs is returning to St. Johns Parish to feed those who are still displaced due to damages by Hurricane Isaac.
Those still in need will be invited to a Thanksgiving celebration on November 21, 2012 that will facilitate both a 12 Noon and 6PM seating at the New Wine Church complex located at 1929 West Airline Highway, LaPlace, LA. Volunteers will also be delivering hot meals to the elderly and those convalescing on November 22nd.
Partners of the Thanksgiving celebration include the St. John's Parish Presidents office, St. Johns Parish Sheriff's department, New Wine Christian Fellowship, ArcelorMittal, Cajun Lodging LLC, and Genpak LLC.
Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs Founder states, "We are excited about returning to LaPlace, to see the people we served after Hurricane Isaac. During a disaster response life is crazy, you don't have the opportunity to hug on folks and tell them that things are going to be okay. Seeing the progress that has been made and encouraging the folks that someday life will be normal again over a great Thanksgiving meal will hopefully be a blessing for all of us"
Mercy Chefs deployed mobile kitchens to Louisiana as the storm approached the New Orleans area. Kitchens opened and served meals to locals in Kenner and Slidell on September 1. Mercy Chefs then concentrated their efforts in LaPlace on September 5-11th. More than 35,000 hot meals were served to those effected by Hurricane Isaac.
September 7, 2012:
Hurricane Isaac made landfall on August 27th and Mercy Chefs responded immediately with their kitchens headed to these flooded areas on August 28th, 2012.
Hurricane Isaac from its beginning proved to be a trickster storm causing damage not only to its victims but also to Mercy Chefs. However Mercy Chefs pressed on and was able to get to its first areas within days of the storm hitting.
One kitchen arrived in Kenner Louisiana serving the community while the other kitchen pressed on to Slidell, Louisiana. All in all Mercy Chefs in these two areas served over 10,000 hot meals.
Within days of arriving to Kenner and Slidell Mercy Chefs again set up a third area in Baton Rouge Louisiana to help feed people. By Wednesday September 5th Mercy Chefs had relocated its efforts to LaPlace Louisiana and by that evening served over 5,000 people in need.
Since Wednesday Mercy Chefs has concentrated all their efforts in LaPlace Louisiana. Mercy Chefs is feeding between 4,500-5,000 each day and the numbers may increase now that people are returning home.
To date Mercy Chefs has already served over 25,000 hot meals. PRAISE GOD!!!
Please continue to pray for Mercy Chefs and all the volunteers that have come out to help these people affected by Hurricane Isaac. Also, if you feel God is calling you to make a financial donation please do so by clicking here.
September 3, 2013
Mercy Chefs has been feeding the victims of hurricane Isaac since Friday. As of Sunday 4500 hot meals have been served.
August 30, 2012
Hurricane Isaac has proven once again to be a trickster. This storm has caused multiple complications for Mercy Chefs tonight being one of the many.
Mercy One, our flagship red truck and mobile kitchen were involved in a destructive wreck due to horrendous road conditions caused by Hurricane Isaac. The accident occurred right outside of Bay St. Louis, MS. No one was injured PRAISE the LORD and at this moment, that truck is out of commission, but our team has pulled together and will pull both kitchens into location with the one truck, driving many hard hours through tornado invested roads.
The other kitchen went ahead to Baton Rouge, LA where we will set up our command post. As soon as Mercy Two is set up, we will be on the road again to retrieve Mercy One. Our command center is located at 1433 Sharp Ln, Baton Rouge, LA 70815. This is the home of Maranatha Church. They have graciously invited us to use their parking lot and facilities. We will station ourselves here to serve St. John the Baptist Parish and LaPlace, LA where we have been asked to help serve first responders and victims.
If you are willing and able to serve on this deployment please contact:
Debbie Lowe
Debbie Lowe's Email
cell: 912-227-0087
***If you have already contacted Debbie please do so again.
Debbie will until coordinating our volunteers.
Please keep Mercy Chefs in your prayers. Also, if you feel God is calling you to make a financial donation please do so by clicking here.
We are in the battle lines but God is our watchman.
We can't go without being sent. Your generosity makes that happen.
Thank you and God Bless
August 28, 2012
Mercy Chefs is reacting to the storm movement and heading with both kitchens to Tuscaloosa, AL tonight. By tomorrow night we will have our locations within the storm area, move in immediately and set up to serve. By Thursday August 30th we will be set up ready to serve dinner that evening.
Photos and more information to come. Check our Facebook page Mercy Chefs frequently for updates.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact:
Debbie Lowe
cell: 912-227-0087
email: Debbie Lowe Email
August 27, 2012
Tropical Storm Isaac has had our full attention these past couple of days. Just as Isaac would father a trickster son this storm has proven to be one that will keep us on our toes. As of today Mercy Chefs will be on the Gulf Wednesday and in full swing by Thursday with BOTH kitchen trailers. Exactly where is still not possible to say until the storm makes landfall. We are checking now to see who might be available to volunteer any number of days starting Thursday August 30th .
We could use a hand or two for any amount of time you could be away.
If you are interested in volunteering with Mercy Chefs please contact:
Debbie Lowe cell: 912-227-0087
or through email: debbie.lowe@mercychefs.com
If you would be interested in making a tax deductible donation to Mercy Chefs please click here.
We will rally in the Valdosta, Ga or Tallahassee FL area on Wednesday August 29th and move in from there.
August 25, 2012
We need your help.
Mercy Chefs is responding to the threat of what will become hurricane Isaac. We plan to load and move the first wave of equipment beginning Monday.
Right now, our immediate needs are for staff transportation, fuel and lodging until Isaac passes. Then, of course, will come the food costs to feed those in need along Isaac's path. We do one thing and one thing well -- we provide hot meals to disaster victims and volunteers.The simple fact is, we cannot continue our work without faithful partners like you. We would be honored if you would consider making a gift to Mercy Chefs as we continue our work in Haiti and prepare for Isaac's arrival in the U.S.
If you would, please make a tax-deductible gift now by clicking here.
We will rally our teams in Tuscaloosa AL or Jackson MS Wednesday morning to move in behind the storm as soon as it is safe to travel. Once the immediate response is stabilized we will send the rest of our equipment in with a second Mercy Chef group.
Please send your volunteer information to:
Volunteer
info@mercychefs.com
March 8, 2012
Mercy Chefs is seeing some amazing "God" moments here in West Liberty KY in the aftermath of last weeks tornadoes. Like when we brought 200 meals to the small town of Crockett and were met with tears from the folks there because we were the first relief team to make it their town. Yesterday we found two more small towns like Crockett. We. Have served over 6,100 meals so far and will continue to provide thousand of meals daily in this devastated region.
From our Newsletter - May 2011
Mercy Chefs Responds to Severe Tornado Outbreaks of Historic Proportions across the Southern, Central, and Eastern United States
The latest devastating tornado outbreak began April 25th and continued through the evening of April 28th; it has spurred an unprecedented number of tornado strikes causing catastrophic damage throughout the Southern, Central, and Eastern States. Mercy Chefs must go, and we must go now. We need your immediate assistance to continue feeding body and soul throughout our suffering nation.
Founder and President, R. Gary LeBlanc, is currently serving in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with Mercy One, the first of two commercial-grade mobile kitchens, to establish a primary operating site and begin feeding the victims, first responders, and volunteers in the aftermath of this disastrous tornado outbreak that swept across the country.
Please CLICK HERE for a short video of Gary and Mercy One as he prepared for departure and the long haul to Alabama. [Courtesy of Testa Media, LLC]
Having just completed a two-week disaster relief effort in Pulaski, VA, serving over 4,000 hot meals, our most readily available chefs are temporarily unavailable. The recent severe weather across the United States has taken hundreds of lives and done immeasurable amounts of damage. YOU CAN HELP.
The need is great, but our commitment and dedication to our calling is undeterred. These continued emergency responses are requiring all available volunteer chefs and rapidly depleting all available reserve funds. Please help us to continue our current efforts and to rebuild our immediate response resources, so that we can be prepared for the next storm sure to come.
To volunteer, please email us:
info@mercychefs.com
From our newsletter:
What an amazing four years for Mercy Chefs. We have crossed the 100,000 total meal mark and have fed well over 14,000 people in Haiti. As you can imagine Mercy Chefs has grown to the point that that it needs more than part time attention. The door is open and I have answered the call to a full time position with Mercy Chefs. As I take this step of faith I ask for you to step out with me and for your continued financial partnership.
This year we have doubled our domestic response capability. This hurricane season 09 chefsis now upon us and forecast to be very active and destructive. We are ready, but we have been seriously stretched this year. We need your help now so we can continue to respond whenever there is a need.
All of this while we continue our work in Haiti in support of medical and rebuilding missions. We have moved over $85,000 of kitchen equipment into Haiti and have opened a full kitchen in Chambrun. Mercy Chefs has logged over 125 09 chefschef days and will continue support as long as needed. There is great excitement as we move forward. Thank you for making it possible for us to go and feed people who are hurting and in need. Your generous gifts are more important now than they have ever been.
To receive our newlsetters, sign up here!
Haiti Earthquake - This is a video from our second trip back to Haiti showing our progress in setting up permanent kitchens for feeding those in need.
Mercy Chef's Haiti update May 2010 from Mike O'Neal on Vimeo.
Haiti Earthquake - The reports of widespread devastation are overwhelming and the suffering beyond our comprehension. Mercy Chefs is making contact with our relief partners and with friends on the ground in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It is hard to know what efforts we will take, however we are making every effort to formulate the most appropriate and effective response. Please pray for God's direction and provision as we prepare. We will keep you posted as more information becomes available and plans take shape.
Our two field portable water purification units that will purify up to 10,000 gallons of water daily have been made available on loan to a medical mission team and to a relief team, both on the way to Haiti. Until things are clearly assessed there is little more we can do except to pray and prepare. Please continue to pray for those affected and for provision for those who will respond. If you have any contacts in Haiti that you believe we should collaborate with, please get in touch with us at info@mercychefs.com
Happy Thanksgiving - Mercy Chefs and Bowery Mission
By the time you receive this Mercy Chefs will already be arriving in New York by plane, train and diesel truck and will begin serving the first of 9,000 Thanksgiving meals with the Bowery Mission. For the next week volunteer chefs from Virginia, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico and Wisconsin will be working with mission staff and volunteers.
From the Bill Isaacs book
“WHAT OUR STORMS TEACH US - Overcoming Hurricane Katrina”
“Perhaps you too can be used of God to help someone on a stormy time. Be ready. Be available and let God use you to help someone else. You will not regret it!
If you are looking for Jesus in the Gulf Coast region, you will find him among the thousands of workers who volunteer and give themselves to helping residents recover. You will find him in the person of Gary LeBlanc from Chesapeake, VA who operates a ministry called ‘Mercy Chefs’ traveling in areas of need to cook and prepare hot meals for local residents. His spirit is the spirit of Christ, loving, giving and enabling someone to receive a meal in the name of the Lord.”
Derick Brock, Disaster Relief Coordinator
“We know we can rely on the great cooperation of Mercy Chefs to be there when needed. We are especially indebted to Mercy Chefs for their partnership, willingness to work hard providing the finest meals anywhere, and positive attitude and care that exudes form your organization. I look forward to working with Mercy Chefs for years to come.”
Randy Johnson, Founder God’s Pit Crew
“We would like to convey how much we appreciate Mercy Chefs coming to New Orleans to cook for over 150 volunteers who participated in the St Paul’s Church and Cornerstone Church Parsonage rebuilds. Perhaps the greatest work done are things done behind the scenes. This was a huge task to feed and take care of this many volunteers .Gary, we truly admire the integrity and the way you represent yourself and Mercy Chefs. We are truly blessed to have someone who will work so hard to help others. A work that is unnoticed, but is critical.”
Jim Hudson, Director New Orleans Ministry and Care Center
“We thank Mercy Chefs and you for your ministry and the call on your heart to be a servant of Christ in these times of need when people are hurting. You have a passion to help those in need and have answered the call by saying ‘send me’. I have experienced your genuine and true heart, having set aside any desire to be in front to take on the roll of a servant. I would be glad to work alongside you at any place and time”
Quint Balkcom, Lt. Game Warden, Texas Parks and Wildlife
“On behalf of all TPWD Game Wardens, I would like to thank you and your staff for your diligence and dedication to providing hot meals for all of our men and women during the Search and Rescue Operations following Hurricane Ike. Hardy home cooked meals are a rarity during search and rescue operations. Three hot meals a day greatly increases stamina and morale among the ranks and often comforts them as they are away from their home. Speaking from experience “on the ground’ it is definitely nice to come in after a long, hot day of work and have a meal that rivals a fine restaurant. You and your team are definitely a God send and are a testament to the helping of your fellow man.”
The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
If my heart is right with God, every human being is my neighbor. ~ Oswald Chambers
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