PRESS & MEDIA
Our mission is to just go feed people—both in and out of disasters. Learn the latest news from our most recent efforts all over the globe.
In the News
Help in the Wake of Hurricane Idalia
Mercy Chefs mobilizes volunteers to help Florida in the wake of Hurricane Idalia…
Mercy Chefs Serves Tornado Victims
Mercy Chefs is in Tennessee serving victims of a tornado that ravaged the town of Clarksville.
Louisiana struggles to recover from Hurricane Laura.
What Comfort Food Means to Me
Mercy Chefs brings meals to the conflict zone in Israel
ABC News’ Stephanie Ramos spoke to Mercy Chefs VP Carl Ladd as the organization works to provide more than 1,000 chef-prepared meals a day to those devastated by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Mercy Chefs Founded in 2006 by Gary LeBlanc
Founders Bios
Chef Gary LeBlanc
Founder & CEO of Mercy Chefs
After 35 years in the hotel restaurant business, Chef 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 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 18 years now, Gary has led Mercy Chefs into more than 33 states across the country and 31 countries around the world, serving over 27 million meals. As Mercy Chefs’ reach expands, Gary consistently remains committed to his original mission to “just go feed people.”
Ann LeBlanc
CoFounder & President of Mercy Chefs
Advocating for nutritious meals and supporting families in need isn’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, NY, in 2006. Now, over 200 disasters and 18 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 of 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
October 12, 2023
Mercy Chefs on the Ground in Israel
Virginia’s Mercy Chefs on the ground in Israel. Help is coming into Israel from all around the world. Virginia-based Mercy Chefs are on the ground– helping the victims with food and supplies.
Read MoreAugust 30, 2023
Mercy Chefs Responding in Florida
Nonprofit will start meal service August 31 in Hurricane Idalia’s aftermath 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 Live Oak, Florida to provide relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. With a fleet of…
Read MoreAugust 10, 2023
Mercy Chefs Responding in Maui
The nonprofit is partnering with local church partners to offer food and resources 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 Maui, Hawaii amid deadly wildfires. Mercy Chefs is partnering with Citizen Church Maui located…
Read MoreJuly 13, 2023
Mercy Chefs Distributing Grocery Boxes July 15 in Little Rock
Mercy Chefs, a Virginia-based disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization that serves chef-prepared meals, will be in Little Rock, Arkansas this weekend delivering grocery boxes to local families. Mercy Chefs team members and volunteers from New Life Church will be packing hundreds of grocery boxes on Friday, July 14 at…
Read MoreJune 21, 2023
Mercy Chefs Responding in Moss Point, Mississippi
Meal service will begin this evening with dinner 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 Moss Point, Mississippi after a tornado damaged the community and displaced families. The deployment comes as the nonprofit is…
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