This year has changed me. The sheer devastation. The people I’ve met. The lives impacted by a hot meal provided by friends like you. I want to do more. I need your help. Please see below. -Gary
As we come to the end of this year, I have been reflecting on all that we’ve seen...
From tornadoes in Alabama to wildfires in California, our teams have literally been coast-to-coast responding to disasters, providing hot meals to those in need.
It became apparent that thousands were still suffering greatly on the Florida Panhandle in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, so we went back in March. And then we stayed, all summer and through the fall, serving tens of thousands of meals.
After Hurricane Dorian all but wiped out two entire islands in the Bahamas, we immediately responded. The devastation there was as bad as I have ever seen. Entire communities were leveled! More than 70,000 meals later, Mercy Chefs has played a key role in that nation’s recovery, and now we’re gearing up to greatly expand our efforts next year.
In all, Mercy Chefs has served over 218,000 meals this year alone! And each meal has a story.
I wish you could meet the people your generosity has helped. Pictured here, our Chef Lisa holds a beautiful baby so mom can get a break and enjoy a hot meal. Then there's Stephanie, who said our meals made her feel “hope again." And I'll never forget Max and his mom, whose home was completely destroyed and were so grateful for a hot meal. It’s amazing what happens when the generosity of friends like you is connected to a hot meal served in love!
But there’s just one “problem”...
God keeps opening unprecedented doors for Mercy Chefs to meet the needs of disaster victims and hurting children and families!
For example, we have been asked to play a leading role in the Bahamas with a breakthrough plan to rebuild Abaco Island by first rebuilding the churches as the epicenter of the community. At the same time, we are being asked to take on an even larger role here in the U.S. in long-term disaster recovery in places like the Florida Panhandle, where we just expanded our efforts for a second time to help Hurricane Michael victims.
Now I need your help. We do not have the budget to take on this massive, new REBUILD ABACO plan and expand our domestic efforts without the support of friends like you. Thankfully, some dear friends have extended to Mercy Chefs a
special $40,000 Year-End Matching Challenge Grant. That means your gift today will help us reach twice as many people -- $25 doubled to $50 will help serve 10 meals; $50 doubled to $100 will help provide 20 meals, and so on. But we must MATCH this challenge -- dollar for dollar -- with gifts from friends like you between now and the end of the year.
But as of this morning, we are still SHORT of meeting that goal with just over a week to the end of the year.
Every dollar you donate is TAX-DEDUCTIBLE -- and will be effectively DOUBLED until we reach the full amount of the Matching Challenge.
This year has impacted me greatly. The devastation we’ve witnessed has been unprecedented. Yet in the midst of disaster, we’ve seen amazing stories of hope. I want to do even more in 2020! Please help! Thanks in advance for your partnership with Mercy Chefs.
Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs
P.S. Again, please note that your gifts between now and the end of the month will be doubled by the generous Year-End Matching Challenge until we reach the $40,000 goal. Go here to make your gift:
NOTE: If you prefer, you can donate by check. Go here for mailing instructions (every gift postmarked by 12/31 will count toward the Challenge). Also, if you would like to make a special year-end gift of stock or other appreciated assets, contact my office directly at [email protected].
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