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Thankful for God’s faithfulness and for every hand that has joined us on this incredible journey.

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall, forever changing countless lives—including that of our Founder and CEO, Chef Gary LeBlanc. Watch the video to see how this storm inspired the birth of Mercy Chefs and our mission to “just go feed people.”

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall, forever changing countless lives—including that of our Founder and CEO, Chef Gary LeBlanc. Watch the video to see how this storm inspired the birth of Mercy Chefs and our mission to “just go feed people.”

Send Meals to Those in Need

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2005

Hurricane Katrina hits Chef Gary’s hometown of New Orleans

2006

Mercy Chefs is founded on June 8

2006

Mercy Chefs deploys for the first time to Conklin, New York, following flooding

2008

A tornado in Suffolk, Virginia, marks the first deployment of Mercy Chefs’ mobile kitchen

2009

Mercy Chefs’ annual holiday outreaches to support communities rebuilding after disasters begin

2010

Mercy Chefs responds in Haiti following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, its first international deployment

2013

After an EF-5 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, Mercy Chefs deploys its largest team to date, meeting Chef Lisa, future Director of U.S. Disaster Relief.

2014

Inspired by a church sign offering “free food nightly,” Mercy Chefs begins a summer outreach program in Norfolk, Virginia, setting the foundation for our Community Kitchens.

2015

Mercy Chefs responds in Haiti following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, its first international deployment

2017

Back-to-back hurricanes mark one of Mercy Chefs’ most challenging seasons, with deployments to Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

2018

Hurricane Michael response leads to 100,000 meals served and the launch of Mercy Chefs’ first Beacon of Hope Kitchen in Florida.

2019

Mercy Chefs opens its first Community Kitchen at headquarters, serving nearly 1 million meals locally and expanding to four additional locations

2020

COVID-19 spikes food insecurity nationwide, prompting Mercy Chefs to launch its Family Grocery Box program and surpass 10 million meals served

2022

Mercy Chefs Global officially launches, opening its first international kitchen in Honduras and responding to the war in Ukraine

2022

Following Hurricane Ian, Mercy Chefs serves a record-breaking 420,000 meals across Florida

2023

Mercy Chefs responds to five consecutive hurricanes, including Hurricane Helene, the largest deployment in Mercy Chefs’ history

2024

Mercy Chefs responds to five consecutive hurricanes, including Hurricane Helene, the largest deployment in Mercy Chefs’ history

2025

Mercy Chefs establishes Beacon of Hope Kitchens in North Carolina and Texas to support long-term recovery after Hurricane Helene and the July 4th floods

2025

Mercy Chefs launches Feed the Force, serving military families facing food insecurity during the government shutdown

2026

Mercy Chefs launches its first tri-state response following a winter storm across the South and hits 38 million meals served

Impact Stories

Jennifer, Michigan Flooding

Tim, Texas Flooding

Cheyrl & Brian, Mississippi Tornado

Karen, Kentucky Tornado

Mercy Chefs is a faith-based, nonprofit disaster and humanitarian relief organization. We exist to provide professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals to victims, volunteers, and first responders, and we partner with existing like-minded organizations to further their mission by providing food service in underserved communities across the country and around the globe.

A Look Back Over the Years

Relive the moments with us that shaped Mercy Chefs’ mission.

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