(Editor’s note: Mercy Chefs has served over 7 million meals since March 2020 through COVID-19 outreach.)
Virginia-based disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization Mercy Chefs reached a significant milestone in early February, serving its 10 millionth meal.
The nonprofit, which was founded in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, serves professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals to victims and first responders in emergencies and natural disasters. Over the past 14 years, Mercy Chefs has served people in 27 states and 10 countries in responding to more than 134 disasters with the help of 10,000 community volunteers.
Since mid-March, the organization has served 7 million meals in response to the coronavirus pandemic across the country. Many of the meals have been served through coronavirus crisis response distribution locations the organization has set up around the country, where Mercy Chefs is working with food distributors and volunteers to supplement the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program and provide meals.
Mercy Chefs also has served meals to hospital workers in recent months who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout Hampton Roads and Panama City, Florida.
“To hit this milestone – 10 million meals – is simply remarkable,” said Gary LeBlanc, founder of Mercy Chefs. “This past year has been devastating for so many people, and we feel blessed to have been able to play a small role in bringing people comfort through food. We could not have gotten here without our incredible staff, volunteers, donors and partners answering the call to serve others.”
In addition to COVID-19 relief, Mercy Chefs deployed to numerous areas in the past year for relief following natural disasters, including Hurricanes Hanna and Laura, the derecho in Iowa and the recent tornado in Alabama. Mercy Chefs repeatedly has returned to the Panama City area to serve those still affected by Hurricane Michael.
To support Mercy Chefs in its current relief efforts, visit, www.mercychefs.com. Follow Mercy Chefs’ Facebook page for the latest updates.
At the date of publication, this organization is a client of The Hodges Partnership.
