I'm headed to Tallahassee to lead our preparation and response to Hurricane Idalia. Please help as you can and see below for the latest. --Gary

Hurricane Idalia is now expected to make landfall tomorrow (Wednesday) along the heavily populated Gulf Coast of Florida just north of Tampa as a MAJOR CATEGORY 3 STORM.

Mercy Chefs has been monitoring this storm closely while coordinating our relief response with local and state officials. In association with the Emergency Operations Center of Florida, Mercy Chefs will serve as one of the primary meal providers as meal service becomes necessary.

+ + We are mobilizing...

I've been monitoring these storms for many years and based on weather reports, Florida has never seen a track like this one. Since the storm could impact very heavily populated areas, we are preparing for the potential of maximum impact and a massive relief deployment.

As I write, our team is already mobilizing. Our convoy of mobile kitchen and support equipment is en route and will be staging just outside the expected strike zone so we can deploy to the most needed areas as quickly as possible. moving staff and chefs nearby so we can get meal service up and running as soon as possible.

This is a critical time. Your support right now will help Mercy Chefs be in the BEST POSSIBLE POSITION to help the most people after Idalia hits.

{{recipient.first_name_or_friend}}, can you help us right now as we prepare for what is expected to be a major hurricane landfall in Florida? Go here to help with Hurricane Idalia relief:

Again, this could be a major storm with devastating impact on a very heavily populated area of the Florida Gulf Coast.

I'll have more to share soon. For now, please PRAY and help as you can.

God bless,

Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs