PRESS & MEDIA

Our mission is to just go feed people – both in & out of disasters. Learn the latest news from our most recent efforts all over the world.

In the News

We Won a Land Rover

Mercy Chefs is one of five charities that were presented with a custom Land Rover Defender 130 sports utility SUV.

Brief but Spectacular

As founder of Mercy Chefs, Gary LeBlanc and his team have served more than 18 million meals to people affected by…

Louisiana struggles to recover from Hurricane Laura.

As Louisiana marks Hurricane Katrina anniversary, hundreds of Laura evacuees stay in New Orleans while help arrives…

What Comfort Food Means to Me

When I was growing up in Louisiana, my grandmother, mom, and aunt would make this homemade concoction…

Coronavirus lays bare America's looming food crisis: Mercy Chefs Founder

By any objective measure, the United States was not prepared to confront the full fury of the coronavirus pandemic…

Hurricane Delta's wrath in Louisiana brings Mercy Chefs back to Lake Charles, dishing out meals

For a second time this year, help has arrived in Louisiana to offer a slice of comfort to families reeling after yet another devastating hurricane…

Mercy Chefs Founded in 2006 by Gary LeBlanc

Founders Bios

Chef Gary LeBlanc

Founder and CEO of Mercy Chefs

After 35 years in the hotel restaurant business, Gary LeBlanc unexpectedly discovered his passion while volunteering during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It was there in his hometown of New Orleans that Gary first saw the incredible difference that a hot meal can make, but as a volunteer he was surprised and outraged by the quality of food being served.

Though the victims and first responders were grateful for every meal, there was little to no food safety being practiced by the other relief agencies. It was all about fast, cheap and quantity. In the months following his efforts in Louisiana, Gary became inspired to the point of distraction by the idea of excellent food service in a disaster zone.

It was this spark of inspiration that led to the 2006 founding of Mercy Chefs, a national, faith-based nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization that serves high quality professionally prepared meals to victims, first responders and volunteers in natural disasters and national emergencies. For 16 years now, Gary has led Mercy Chefs into more than 30 states across the country and 13 countries around the world, serving nearly 25 million meals since 2006. As Mercy Chefs’ reach expands, Gary consistently remains committed to his original mission to “Just go feed people.”

Ann LeBlanc

Co-founder and President of Mercy Chefs

Advocating for nutritious meals and supporting families in need aren’t new to Ann LeBlanc, who felt a call to dedicate her life to service after her very first deployment with Mercy Chefs to Conklin, N.Y., in 2006. Now, 150 disasters and 16 years later, Ann continues to serve as the heartbeat and grounding force of the Mercy Chefs team, always there to lend a helping hand and a hot meal to those in need.

Prior to joining Mercy Chefs full time two years ago, Ann gained 25 years combined experience at The Christian Broadcasting Network and Regent University in executive-level leadership in fundraising, event planning and marketing. Over the years, she has honed those skills to help Mercy Chefs skyrocket to new heights.

Ann embodies the essence of advocacy in everything she does. In her role at Mercy Chefs, Ann’s passion and commitment can be seen and felt by the people she serves. Whether she’s serving meals to single moms, elderly shut-ins, immigrant families or the newly unemployed, Ann always goes above and beyond – prioritizing the soul and story behind people and meeting individuals where they are.

Latest Releases

Mercy Chefs Responding to Turkey-Syria Earthquake

Disaster relief organization already has started supporting relief efforts on the ground Mercy Chefs, a Virginia-based disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization that serves chef-prepared meals in national emergencies and natural disasters, is responding to the devastating Turkey-Syria earthquake. Carl Ladd, vice president of Mercy Chefs Global, and other Mercy…

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Mercy Chefs Responding to Turkey-Syria Earthquake
Mercy Chefs Deploying to Eastern Kentucky to Serve Meals

Mercy Chefs, a Virginia-based disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization that serves chef-prepared meals in national emergencies and natural disasters, is returning to Eastern Kentucky to address an urgent need for food in communities that are recovering from a freeze while still feeling the impact of devastating flooding that impacted…

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Mercy Chefs Deploying to Eastern Kentucky to Serve Meals
Mercy Chefs Named Finalist in the Second Annual Land Rover ‘Defender Service Awards’

Mercy Chefs Submission Video for Defender Service Award: https://player.vimeo.com/video/764103089?h=713ec8e73d Public voting open through Nov. 6 on LandRoverUSA.com; Mercy Chefs could win SUV and $25,000 Today, Mercy Chefs was named a finalist among the community service organizations category in the Land Rover “Defender Service Awards.” The Virginia-based disaster relief and humanitarian…

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Mercy Chefs Named Finalist in the Second Annual Land Rover ‘Defender Service Awards’
Mercy Chefs Has Served More Than 200,000 Meals in Response to Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian Images and b-roll: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19DkrugTe4Ncf15u9f–K544YpSlZUtji Within 24 hours of Hurricane Ian making landfall in Florida, Mercy Chefs was in Fort Myers serving meals – and hope. Two weeks later, the Virginia-based disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization that serves chef-prepared meals in national emergencies and natural disasters, has served…

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Mercy Chefs Has Served More Than 200,000 Meals in Response to Hurricane Ian
Mercy Chefs Responding to Hurricane Ian

credit: NOAA Florida Response Is Expected to Be the Largest in Organization’s History Mercy Chefs, a Virginia-based disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization that serves chef-prepared meals in national emergencies and natural disasters, is deploying to Florida in response to Hurricane Ian. The nonprofit has been preparing all week for…

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Mercy Chefs Responding to Hurricane Ian
Mercy Chefs Responding to Hurricane Fiona Victims in Puerto Rico with Hot Meals and Clean Water

On the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Maria devastating Puerto Rico, Mercy Chefs is returning to the U.S. territory, this time to aid the victims, volunteers and first responders of Hurricane Fiona. Virginia-based Mercy Chefs has a longstanding history of providing relief in Puerto Rico. The nonprofit responded for months after…

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Mercy Chefs Responding to Hurricane Fiona Victims in Puerto Rico with Hot Meals and Clean Water
Mercy Chefs Deploys to Eastern Kentucky Following Historic Flooding

Mercy Chefs Deploys to Eastern Kentucky Following Devastating Floods Mercy Chefs, a Virginia-based disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization that serves chef-prepared meals in national emergencies and natural disasters, has deployed to Whitesburg, Kentucky to provide daily meal service following the devasting flooding in the eastern part of the state.  Mercy Chefs will serve its first meals this evening, July 30,…

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Mercy Chefs Deploys to Eastern Kentucky Following Historic Flooding
Latest Updates on Ukraine Deployment

Mercy Chefs’ Response in Ukraine Continues; Over 2.5 Million Pounds of Food Delivered Since March  Mercy Chefs, a Virginia-based disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization that serves chef-prepared meals in national emergencies and natural disasters, has delivered over 2.5 million pounds of food and water since its work on the border of Ukraine began in March to reach refugees following the…

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Latest Updates on Ukraine Deployment
Mercy Chefs Deploys to New Mexico to Aid Wildfire Victims, First Responders

Mercy Chefs Deploys to New Mexico to Aid Wildfire Victims, First Responders  Mercy Chefs, a Virginia-based disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization that serveschef-prepared meals in national emergencies and natural disasters, has deployed to Taos, New Mexico to provide meal service to evacuees seeking shelter and first responders as deadly wildfires continue to expand throughout the state.   Over the weekend, the nonprofit organization served lunch and dinner in Angel Fire and Taos. It…

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Mercy Chefs Deploys to New Mexico to Aid Wildfire Victims, First Responders
Deploying to Romania-Ukraine Border

Mercy Chefs Deploys to Romania-Ukraine Border  to Aid Ukrainian Refugees  Virginia-based disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization Mercy Chefs has deployed to Romania, where it will serve Ukrainians fleeing their homes after Russia’s invasion.   The organization and its international partners expect to be set up at the Romanian border by tonight to provide aid…

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Deploying to Romania-Ukraine Border
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