Mercy Chefs Receives the Spirit of Virginia Award

November 15, 2024

Mercy Chefs Receives the Spirit of Virginia Award

PORTSMOUTH, VA — Mercy Chefs received the Spirit of Virginia Award from Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin. This prestigious award honors individuals and nonprofits who are making extraordinary contributions to strengthening their communities.

Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin preparing meals with the Mercy Chefs team.
overnor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin preparing a hot meal at Mercy Chefs.
overnor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin presenting the Spirit of Virginia Award to Mercy Chefs.
Governor Glenn Youngkin preparing a hot meal with the Mercy Chefs team.

Governor Youngkin commended Mercy Chefs’ mission, stating, “What a moment to remind us that this is not simply about service, it’s not simply about compassion, it’s not simply about relief, but it is about feeding not just the body but also the soul. That is what the spirit of Virginia is all about.”

The celebration was covered by WAVY-TV, and their story can be viewed here.

ABOUT MERCY CHEFS  

Mercy Chefs is a 501c3 founded in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The organization exists to provide professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals to victims, volunteers, and first responders in natural disasters and national emergencies and partners with existing ministries with food service in underserved communities around the country. Since its founding, Mercy Chefs has served 28 million meals. In 2020, Mercy Chefs founder Gary LeBlanc was recognized by Southern Living Magazine as a “Hometown Hero,” and Mercy Chefs was named the 2020 Small Business of the Year in the nonprofit category by Inside Business and the Hampton Roads Chamber. Mercy Chefs also has been featured in major news outlets such as CNN, Fox News, NBC News, PBS and ABC News. For more information, visit mercychefs.com.

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