We've been asked to provide 3,000 meals for a Back-To-School event in Panama City tomorrow to help hurting kids get ready for the transition back to the classroom. This is one of the most important events we've taken on here. See below. --Gary

God keeps opening doors for Mercy Chefs to play an even more significant role in the healing and recovery that is taking place on the Florida Panhandle.

As you know, Hurricane Michael devastated this region. Forty percent of the buildings were still uninhabitable months after the storm hit, and an estimated 5,000 children were left without a permanent place to call home. We've been here all summer, primarily to help bridge the gap for these children, many of whom simply have no "dinner table" to go home to.

As the Lord continues to expand this ministry's impact here, I want to invite you to partner with Mercy Chefs in something very exciting that is happening tomorrow.

In partnership with the area school district, Mercy Chefs is helping to host a special Back-To-School event that is expected to bring together 3,000 kids and their families. It's part of school officials' strategy to help these kids transition back to the school year, which is set to start in less than two weeks.

This is a time to meet practical needs in the community: clothing for kids, backpack donations and school supplies. School representatives will be on hand to answer questions, especially regarding social services and counseling. There will also be fun activities for the children, and Mercy Chefs will be serving up 3,000 meals to bless this community!

I want to invite you to be part of making this happen. It costs just $2.50 to serve a hot meal to a needy family. I'm asking dear friends of this ministry to join me in helping to sponsor each and every one of the 3,000 meals we will be serving tomorrow. Go here to make your tax-deductible gift to help these kids and continue other vital efforts:

Just $50 will help us provide 20 meals tomorrow; $100 serves 40 meals. Perhaps you can do more and contribute $250 (100 meals), $500 (200 meals), or even $1,000 (400 meals).

Of course, every gift will help us serve a meal, and help us put a smile on a child's face -- perhaps one of the many children who have gone months without a place to call home as this community still struggles to recover from the second-largest hurricane ever to hit our mainland.

I've never seen a storm that was so quickly forgotten by the national media cause such devastation. The hurricane resulted in an estimated 72 MILLION tons of debris. This alone has created a health and safety crisis. But worst of all is the impact this storm has had on children. Imagine if 5,000 children were suddenly forced into being homeless in your community? The emotional toll alone has been enormous. That's why every meal we provide matters. Every hug and smile we offer makes a difference. And every day that we continue to show up and meet these critical needs bears fruit in life-changing impact.

Tomorrow is a big day for thousands of kids on the Florida Panhandle. And thanks to friends like you, Mercy Chefs will be there "feeding body and soul" and making a difference that matters both now and for eternity.

Thank you in advance, and God bless you!

Gary LeBlanc, Founder
Mercy Chefs

P.S. I'm hoping to have this entire event fully sponsored before we serve the first meal tomorrow evening. Can you help? It costs about $2.50 to serve a meal. Perhaps you can sponsor 20 meals ($50), 40 meals ($100), or more. Every gift will help us meet this goal and make a difference in this community and these kids' lives. Thank you so much! Go here: