Mercy Chefs is a faith-based non-profit organization whose mission is to nourish both the body and soul by providing professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals to those in need during natural disasters, national emergencies, and underserved communities. Here’s a closer look at their work:

Origins and Purpose:

• Founded in 2006 by Chef Gary and Ann LeBlanc after witnessing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
• Driven by a deep desire to serve and uplift communities through the power of food.
• Motto: “Just Go Feed People.”

Areas of Focus:

• Disaster Relief & Long-Term Recovery: Rapidly deploy mobile kitchens to disaster zones, serving hot meals to victims, first responders, and volunteers (up to 20,000 meals daily).
• Community Kitchens: Partner with local organizations to run community kitchens in underserved areas, providing nutritious meals and fostering social connection.
• Food Insecurity Response: Combat food insecurity through initiatives like grocery box distribution, reaching millions of people in need.

Key Features:

• Professional Chefs: Team of experienced chefs who create delicious and culturally appropriate meals.
• Mobile Kitchen Fleet: State-of-the-art kitchens equipped to operate in challenging conditions.
• Local Partnerships: Collaborate with existing organizations to maximize impact and build community resilience.
• Faith-Based: Guided by Christian values of compassion, service, and hope.

Impact:

• Served millions of meals to those in need across the United States and around the world.
• Provided critical support during major disasters like Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and the California wildfires.
• Empowered communities through their community kitchen initiatives.

Ways to Get Involved:

• Donate to support their mission.
• Volunteer your time and skills.
• Spread the word about their work.

Bringing Mercy Chefs to your town requires demonstrating a need and finding the right avenue to connect with them. Here are some steps you can take:

Identify the Need:

• Focus on a specific reason: Explain the situation in your town that aligns with Mercy Chefs’ core mission. This could be:
• Disaster Recovery: If your town recently experienced a natural disaster, highlight the ongoing struggles and need for long-term recovery support, especially around food security.
• Community Kitchen Initiative: Describe the prevalence of food insecurity in your town and the lack of access to nutritious meals for vulnerable populations.
• Specific Event: If your town has a planned event related to food insecurity or community rebuilding, consider inviting Mercy Chefs for a pop-up kitchen or educational workshop.

Reach Out to Mercy Chefs:

• Contact Information: Visit their website (https://mercychefs.com/) and use the “Contact Us” form to reach out directly. Explain your reason for wanting them to come to your town and provide clear details of the situation.
• Local Connections: If you know any existing partners or volunteers affiliated with Mercy Chefs, reaching out through them can potentially offer a stronger connection and advocate for your town’s need.
• Social Media: Engage with Mercy Chefs on their social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) by sharing stories and highlighting the needs of your community. Use relevant hashtags like #SendHopeHome or #MercyChefs to attract their attention.

Prepare a Strong Case:

• Gather supporting data: Collect statistics on food insecurity rates, poverty levels, or the impact of a recent disaster in your town. This helps them understand the magnitude of the need and justify their resources.
• Partnership proposal: Consider outlining a potential partnership plan. This could involve proposing space for a community kitchen, securing local volunteers, or fundraising support. Demonstrate your town’s commitment to actively contributing to their mission.
• Be patient and persistent: Remember, Mercy Chefs receives nu
  merous requests and prioritizes based on urgency and feasibility. Be persistent in your efforts and stay actively engaged with them.

Additional Resources:

• Volunteer with Mercy Chefs: Even if their mobile kitchen deployment isn’t currently feasible, consider volunteering your time or skills. This can demonstrate your commitment and potentially open doors for future collaborations.
• Raise awareness: Help spread the word about Mercy Chefs’ work within your community. This can build local support and potentially attract their attention to your town’s needs.

Remember, bringing Mercy Chefs to your town requires initiative, a clear purpose, and persistent communication. By effectively demonstrating the need and showcasing your town’s commitment to their mission, you increase your chances of securing their valuable support.