This is a CRITICAL week.

My team is rushing to get our Florida relief efforts focusing on thousands of children still homeless as a result of Hurricane Michael officially launched. Our plans now are to formally open our "Beacon Of Hope" center in the shuttered school that Panama City officials are allowing us to use by next Thursday (June 6).

That puts an enormous amount of pressure on this week to get the kitchen ready while we also retrofit the classrooms into bunkhouse rooms that can house up to 80 volunteers. Here's why the bunkhouse rooms are so critical...

With such a large percentage of the housing supply in the region still unlivable, there is an incredible shortage of places to sleep not only for the residents but also for volunteer teams wanting to come to the region. These bunkhouse beds will give us the ability to adequately staff Mercy Chefs' outreaches while also supporting other relief and clean up efforts going on in the region.

So here's my challenge...

To convert these classrooms into bunkhouse beds and fully equip the beds costs about $200 per bed. That means we need $16,000 THIS WEEK so I can get this work done if at all possible in time for next week's official opening. I'm asking every friend of Mercy Chefs to partner with me this week to get this done!

Can I count on your help? Your $50 donation, combined with gifts from other friends, will help us get one bunk ready for volunteer teams. Perhaps the Lord has blessed you financially and you can sponsor one bunk ($200), two bunks ($400), or even five bunks ($1,000). Every gift will help. Please go here to partner with Mercy Chefs to bring relief to Panama City and continue other vital efforts:

+ + These kids need meals, support, trauma counseling and more!

My heart breaks for these children who months after the hurricane hit are still "couch surfing" with nowhere to sleep, not knowing where their next meal will come from. I believe God is going to do miracles as we serve meals and provide support to these kids and their families.

In fact, it's a miracle that God has opened this door. Panama City officials have literally given us the "keys" to an entire school so we can convert it to a powerful "Beacon Of Hope" that will serve tens of thousands of meals to hurting kids and their families while we serve as base of outreach for volunteer teams.

I'm stepping out in faith because I see one of the most urgent post-disaster needs I've ever experienced. And right now, I need your help THIS WEEK to build these 80 bunks and fully convert the school facility into a powerful "Beacon Of Hope" that can be a center of restoration and healing for this entire community.

I've stood with city officials, pastors and local citizens who were brought to tears when they heard Mercy Chefs was coming back. Now I need your help to make it happen.

Thanks in advance for your partnership with Mercy Chefs, and God bless you!

Gary LeBlanc, Founder
Mercy Chefs

P.S. Again, it costs about $200 to build and outfit one bunk. Your gift of $50, $100, $200, or more -- combined with gifts from other friends -- will help get this job done. But this week is critical because our official opening of the "Beacon Of Hope" is scheduled for next Thursday (June 6). Go here to donate online and for the mailing address if you prefer to donate by check. Thanks in advance and God bless!