An eight-year-old boy whose family has been receiving meals from Mercy Chefs as part of our Ida response said something amazing.

The boy and his mom had been coming to Mercy Chefs to receive hot meals for their family and neighbors. After experiencing kind words and encouragement each time they came through the meal line, the boy asked his mom to promise him that she would bring him to volunteer with Mercy Chefs on a future deployment. Here's what he said to his mom...

"Mama, that's what you do. They're helping us, and we need to help someone else too."

So much of life can get really complex, but when it comes to meeting needs and helping people, it's really quite simple.... "That's what you do."

+ + That's just what we'll do 50,000 times this weekend...

That's what Mercy Chefs is doing right now in Louisiana. Thanks to you, we're helping people by the tens of thousands, like that young boy and his family. Many of our volunteers are people who've been helped by Mercy Chefs in the past and now they want to return the blessing to others. They travel to our deployments and help prepare and deliver hot meals to disaster victims because they once were on the receiving end of that same generosity!

That's what you're doing when you give to Mercy Chefs to help us help Ida victims. The Lord has blessed you and now you are able to bless and help those who need hope and encouragement in a time of disaster.

This weekend, our work continues. Today through Sunday, I'm fully expecting to provide 50,000 meals or more -- the need just isn't letting up! 

But to do so, we need help from friends like you who share our mission to bring hope to the hurting in the form of a hot meal. Will you partner with me this weekend to provide 50,000 meals to Ida victims? Go here to make your gift:

Our needs are great right now. This week we have still been getting urgent calls for help from communities that had yet to receive aid. Some areas are expected to be without power through the end of the month! The meals you are providing are a lifeline of practical help and hope. Your faithfulness and generosity are making a tangible difference in people lives right now.

Thanks for your prayers on behalf of the families here, as well as for our team. And thanks in advance for your financial support.

God bless,

Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs