There is now great concern that parts of one of the hardest hit neighborhoods in Chattanooga may have to be bulldozed and condemned. It's heartbreaking. The devastation from the EF-4 tornado was that immense. For nearly two weeks now, our team has been serving in and around that community, providing hot meals to victims and volunteers. When these families couldn't return to their homes, many were moved to nearby hotels. They were so grateful for Mercy Chefs meals that they actually requested that we keep providing meals for their families. So we did.

I know the Lord placed Mercy Chefs in the midst of the community to help these folks during their initial shock and while they made their first steps on the long road to recovery. Shortly after the tornado struck, the city named Mercy Chefs the lead food provider for the disaster. And by the end of this weekend, we'll have served 40,000 meals here.

This weekend, we're continuing to serve up thousands of hot meals to Chattanooga tornado victims. Plus, I'm finalizing arrangements so that, starting next week, Mercy Chefs will provide food delivery from two locations that will feed 1,300 people a day on a longer-term basis.

That means we still urgently need your help! Will you prayerfully consider making a special gift to help Mercy Chefs bring relief to Chattanooga tornado victims while we continue other vital efforts? Go here:

(If you prefer to make your gift by check, go here for mailing instructions.)

This deployment came in the midst of Mercy Chefs' unprecedented multi-city response to the coronavirus crisis. As a result, over the past two weeks, your faithful partnership has helped Mercy Chefs feed over 50,000 people -- and we'll reach thousands more this weekend and then start the process over next week.

I'm so grateful for friends like you who stand with us through both your financial support and your prayers. This ministry has been stretched in recent days like few times in our history. All because the need to "just feed people" is so urgent. And with each "stretching," we feel your sustaining prayers every step of the way.

Thank you, and God bless you.

Gary LeBlanc

P.S. Our practical need this weekend and into next week is real -- both in helping tornado victims and those who are unemployed or shut-in by the coronavirus crisis. Thanks in advance for you help, and go here to make your tax-deductible gift directly to Mercy Chefs:

P.P.S. I just heard that our Virginia-based coronavirus relief team has now reached an astounding 67,200 people! Go here for the latest on our coronavirus response.