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.

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…

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.

Hope and a Hot Meal in Maui

They have been busy cooking and feeding hundreds of people.

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

Mercy Chefs Responding in Texas Following Deadly Tornado

Nonprofit plans to begin meal service in Perryton tomorrow 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 Perryton, Texas following a devastating tornado that left a path of destruction – displacing families and leaving 4,500…

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Mercy Chefs Responding in Texas Following Deadly Tornado
Mercy Chefs Responding in Arkansas Following Tornadoes

Nonprofit plans to begin meal service in Little Rock tomorrow 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 Arkansas following the deadly tornadoes that left catastrophic damage. Mercy Chefs plans to serve meals and water…

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Mercy Chefs Responding in Arkansas Following Tornadoes
Mercy Chefs Responding in Rolling Fork, Mississippi

Nonprofit plans to serve thousands of meals each day 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 Mississippi following the destructive tornado that hit Rolling Fork on Friday night. Mercy Chefs will serve meals and…

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Mercy Chefs Responding in Rolling Fork, Mississippi
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
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