During our first deployment to Lake Charles in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura and its massive CAT-4 winds, a man pulled up in his car and called to me by name. He told me he had researched Mercy Chefs, but was puzzled...
"I can't figure out why you're here. You're not FEMA. You're not with the government. Yet your team is working so hard for our community."
It's a question I heard again and again this year...
Why? Why did Mercy Chefs care enough to go to hard-hit communities and provide tens and even hundreds of thousands of meals during disaster and economic disruption?
When we went to Cameron Parish, "ground zero" of Laura's strike, we saw such incredible destruction. A 30-car train blown off its tracks! When we arrived, the area hadn't seen much relief help. Mercy Chefs immediately became a lifeline of hope. And again I heard the same question, this time from a local priest.... "Why do you do what you do?"
When we responded to the unusual derecho in Iowa, the good folks of Cedar Rapids couldn't believe we were there to help meet their need. One woman shared with us that she gave birth to a baby five days after the storm and her family "was without electricity for 12 days." She was so grateful for the meals: "There is no way my family would have had such healthy good meals during that time without you.”
This month, the work continues. Just days ago, we returned to Panama City to serve holiday meals. Our team also was in Nashville providing 1,300 family-style holiday meals. And as I write, we're still meeting urgent needs in Honduras. In all, Mercy Chefs will provide over a HALF-MILLION meals this month alone -- the busiest December in our history.
That's why it's so important that we fully fund this $50,000 Year-End Matching Challenge. Can I count on your help? Go here to make your tax-deductible gift to Mercy Chefs, doubled by this Matching Challenge:
Why does Mercy Chefs do what we do? Because this is our calling. It's simple and clear: just feed people. 
And as we do this mission, thanks to you, we get to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need... seven million times in 2020 alone!
I'm so grateful for your partnership. Your faithfulness makes is possible for Mercy Chefs to meet these needs. And thanks in advance for standing with us at this time.
God bless,
Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs
P.S. Every dollar you donate will effectively be doubled by this Year-End Challenge Grant. Your gift of $50 will have the impact of $100; $100 will be doubled to $200; $250 becomes $500, and so on. Please help. Go here:
Please note that every gift made online before the end of the year will count toward the Matching Challenge. If you prefer to write a check, your gift must be postmarked by December 31. Go here for mailing instructions.
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