This week, we completed our second deployment to help the people of Eastern Kentucky who are in the midst of a crisis that has lasted over six months.

In all, you helped Mercy Chefs serve 89,768 hot meals and thousands of additional meals through grocery bags to the people here!

+ + One encounter changed us....

On our last day of service, an older woman in the community who had been volunteering with us approached our team to express her gratitude to Mercy Chefs.

About a week prior, our team had given her some bacon, and she commented how she could never afford such a luxury. She told us she had been enjoying BLT sandwiches every day for the past week. When Chef Dustin heard this, he pulled out some chicken, half a ham, and other supplies for her to take home. 

This dear woman began to weep. But it was what she did next that shocked us...

+ + She insisted we take it....

A little red change purse came into view, and she reached into a side zipper pocket to pull out a weathered $100 bill. She handed the treasured bill to Chef Dustin, who resisted at first, but this woman insisted. It was all she had and she wanted to give it to us.

Our team was shaken...

It was as if we were witnessing a 21st century example of Jesus' encounter with the widow who offered two small coins into the temple treasury -- the "widow's mite" (see Mark 12). As in Jesus' day, this woman who volunteered with us gave all she had, and it was one of the most impactful gifts we've ever received.

+ + Thank you for making every meal possible...

I want to express my gratitude to every friend of Mercy Chefs who helped us serve these 89,768 meals to the people of Eastern Kentucky. Your support has helped carry this community through a very difficult season.

When we arrived, we were shocked to see folks lining up 4 or even 6 hours ahead of a meal distribution. The need here was more than double what we anticipated. Thanks to you, we were able to meet this need. Your support has made every meal possible.

May God richly bless you,

Gary LeBlanc, Mercy Chefs

P.S. We still can use your help. Costs in Kentucky were more than double what we anticipated. And our mission continues every day to feed those impacted by disaster and hardship. Will you help sponsor even 10 meals today (just $35)? Go here: