Kentucky Flood Response
Flood Relief Updates
On February 15, severe winter storms unleashed torrential rain and deadly flooding across Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia, displacing families, damaging homes, and cutting off entire communities. With grocery stores and restaurants closed, many are struggling to access food.
In response, Mercy Chefs deployed to Pikeville, KY, to provide hot, chef-prepared meals and grocery boxes to those affected, working with local partners to identify hard-hit areas and ensure immediate food relief.
As floodwaters recede, we remain committed to providing ongoing support. Please join us in prayer as families navigate the aftermath of the floods. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@MercyChefs) for live updates.
March 10, 2025
Sherry & Willow's Journey
Every meal we serve tells a story of hope and resilience. Beyond nourishing the body, each meal symbolizes strength for families facing crisis. When Sherry and her daughter, Willow, were devastated by the flooding in Pikeville, KY, Mercy Chefs was there, providing hot, chef-prepared meals. During a visit to Shelby Valley High School—where we set up our relief base—Sherry and Willow met Managing Chef John Thompson, who prayed with them. Their journey reminds us of the power of community and the transformative impact of a meal. Read Sherry and Willow’s inspiring story here.
March 3, 2025
Thank You for Helping Us Serve 37,234 Meals
We are deeply grateful for our dedicated team, incredible volunteers, and your steadfast support. Because of you, we have been able to make a meaningful impact in Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia, serving 37,234 meals to those affected by the floods.
February 28, 2025
Teachers Turned Heroes
In Pikeville, KY, local teachers aren’t just educators—they’re local heroes. With schools closed after the devastating flood, many have stepped up to serve their neighbors.
One day this week, about 95% of our volunteers were teachers—cooking, serving, and supporting their students beyond the classroom, even as they face their own hardships. Many have lost their homes and vehicles, yet their love for their students is unwavering.
You can be part of their story. By donating today, another meal will help connect a teacher to a student in need.
February 27, 2025
Bringing Hope Through a Hot Meal
In the wake of disaster, a hot meal can provide comfort and inspire hope. Melissa, a school nurse from Pikeville, lost her home when devastating floods swept through Eastern Kentucky. In the midst of loss and uncertainty, she received a hot meal from Mercy Chefs—a small comfort that meant so much. Rather than focusing only on her own hardship, she chose to give back. Knowing firsthand how powerful a hot meal can be in times of crisis, she stepped up to serve others by volunteering with Mercy Chefs.
Moments like this are possible because of supporters like you. To date, Mercy Chefs has served over 28,000 meals! Join us in extending more hope to those who have lost so much, one meal at a time.
February 26, 2025
A Local Teacher’s Mission to Feed Her Students
Since the flood, schools in Pikeville, KY, have been closed, leaving many children without access to school meals—meals many depend on daily. P.E. teacher Ashley couldn’t stand by knowing her students might be going hungry.
Each day, Ashley picks up Mercy Chefs meals and delivers them throughout the community, ensuring her students and their families receive hot meals. The need in Pikeville is urgent, and we’re honored to stand with community heroes like Ashley, who go the extra mile to care for their communities. You can help us continue feeding families.
February 25, 2025
"That has Helped a Lot: One Meal a Day"
As families work tirelessly to clean their homes and rebuild their lives after the devastating floods, locals are stepping up to help bring Mercy Chefs meals and hope to the hardest-hit areas. We’ve met individuals like Dillon, who are distributing hot meals and clean water in their neighborhoods.
More than 19,700 meals have been served. We could not have done it without our supporters, volunteers, and locals eager to serve their communities. The road to recovery is long, but with your support, we can continue serving thousands more meals.
February 24, 2025
"These Meals Have Really Taken Care of Our People"
The Shelby Valley Volunteer Fire Department has become a crucial support system for the Pikeville, KY, community in the wake of the floods, offering supplies, comfort, and meals in partnership with Mercy Chefs.
Every day, as we prepare to serve, lines of grateful families have already formed for a hot, chef-prepared meal. Many are also picking up meals in bulk, ensuring their friends and neighbors, who are cleaning and salvaging their homes, also have a nourishing meal.
February 23, 2025
Serving 9,700+ Meals
As Mercy Chefs serves hot meals and groceries across three states, we are witnessing neighbors coming together to support one another.
Before the floods, Pastors Rebecca and Elliott Godfrey of Refuge Church in Raysal, WV, provided meals for 300 families weekly, often covering the cost themselves. When torrential rains washed out roads and left families stranded, they knew they had to keep going. Mercy Chefs stepped in, supplying bulk groceries, grocery boxes, and essentials like toilet paper and cleaning supplies. With roads impassable, deliveries are even happening on horseback.
Thanks to our supporters, we have already served over 9,700 meals. Your generosity today ensures families continue receiving the help they need.
February 22, 2025
"Five Days...That was the Last Hot Meal We Had"
Thousands of families are still facing unimaginable loss. During one of our meal distributions, we met Kaytlin (pictured below), a lifelong Pikeville resident whose world was turned upside down by the flood.
As the creek beside her home overflowed, Kaytlin and her family had only moments to react. They jumped into their truck, crashing through their fence to escape, and spent the night in their vehicle. By morning, their home was gone. Days passed without a hot meal—until a friend told them about Mercy Chefs. When Kaytlin arrived and received a warm, chef-prepared meal, she broke down in tears. Their house was gone, but for the first time in days, they didn’t have to worry about food.
With your support, we can bring hot meals and hope to families like Kaytlin’s.
February 21, 2025
Feeding Communities Impacted by the Floods
Roads remain closed, families are in shelters, and many still lack power or clean water across Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia. The stories we are hearing are nothing short of heartbreaking. As dangerous conditions persist, our team is serving thousands of hot meals daily from Shelby Valley High School to flood survivors in all three states. Chef John Thompson, on the ground in Pikeville, KY, shares an update on our efforts.
Your gift today will help us provide hot meals to those in need.
February 20, 2025
First Meals Served in Pikeville, KY
Following devastating floods, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia are experiencing heavy snowfall and dangerously cold temperatures. Mercy Chefs has partnered with Shelby Valley High School to launch relief efforts. Today, we served our first meals: a comforting plate of chicken tacos with beans, cilantro lime rice, corn tortillas, fresh garden salad, and slices of pound cake.
Shelby Valley High School has become a lifeline for the community, providing not just hot meals but also essential supplies. We are deeply grateful to the staff and students for their heart of service.
As harsh weather intensifies, the need continues to grow. Will you stand with us as we serve more hot meals in the days ahead?
February 19, 2025
Supplying Groceries to Flood Survivors
Following historic floods in 2023, Kentucky is again facing devastating floodwaters. Inches of rain have also impacted Virginia and West Virginia, worsening conditions for already struggling communities. With rising water levels and more snow forecasted, many isolated and impoverished areas are left without heat, electricity, or access to food.
Mercy Chefs is equipping local churches with bulk groceries and cooking supplies, including firewood, to prepare hot meals. We are also distributing grocery boxes to help families in Virginia and West Virginia. Join us in bringing essential relief to those impacted by the floods.
Make a Donation
For just $3.50, you can provide a hot meal to a family in need, delivering immediate relief and hope to flood victims in their time of crisis.
Become a Volunteer
Join our team on the ground as a local volunteer! Together, we can make a difference for struggling families across Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia as we respond to the floods.
Contact Us
For more information on how you, your church, or your organization can support our relief efforts, please complete the form below.
